A  Colonial  Wooing 


BY  DR.  ABBOTT 

THE  BIRDS  ABOUT  US.  Seventy, 
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A  Colonial  Wooing 


By 

Charles  Conrad  Abbott,  M.D. 


PHILADELPHIA 

J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT   COMPANY 

MDCCCXCV 


COPYRIGHT,  1895, 

BY 

J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY. 


PRINTED  BY  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY,  PHILADELPHIA,  U.S.A. 


RECALLING    THE    SEVERAL    OCCASIONS    WHEN    THE    FORTUNES 
OF     RUTH     AND     JOHN     WERE     SO     EARNESTLY     DIS- 
CUSSED, IT    SEEMS    AS    FITTING    AS    IT    IS 
PLEASANT    TO    DEDICATE    THIS 
STORY    TO 

THE    FRIEND 

WHOSE    INTEREST    THEREIN    URGED    ME    TO 
WRITE    WHAT    I    HAVE    WRITTEN. 

C.  C.  A. 

APRIL  10,  1895. 


1782150 


Contents. 

Chapter  I.  PAGB 

A  Fruitless  Discussion 19 

Chapter  II. 
New  to  the  Neighborhood 29 

Chapter  III. 
"  There's  Many  a  Slip,  etc." 39 

Chapter  IV. 
Too  Much  about  Nothing 48 

Chapter  V. 
A  Worse  Fate  threatened 60 

Chapter  VI. 
A  Letter  from  England 69 

Chapter  VII. 
The  Sale  of  the  Shallop 79 

Chapter  VIII. 
The  New  Partnership 91 

Chapter  IX. 
The  Reply  to  the  Letter 103 


CONTENTS 

Chapter  X. 


Ruth  and  her  Cousin 


Chapter  XI. 
The  New  Year  ..............     130 

Chapter  XII. 
Straightening  the  Lines  ...........     144 

Chapter  XIII. 
A  Visit  to  Burlington     ...........     153 

Chapter  XIV. 
Plots  and  Counter-plots   ...........     165 

Ch'apter  XV. 
Music  in  Meeting  .............     174 

Chapter  XVI. 
The  Departure  of  Ruth     ..........     189 

Chapter  XVII. 
A  Night  on  the  Creek    ...........     199 

Chapter  XVIII. 
Robert  defies  Matthew   ...........     212 

Chapter  XIX. 
A  Committee  calls  upon  John  Bishop  ......     222 

Chapter  XX. 

All's  Well  that  ends  Well     .........     234 

8 


Introduction 


i. 

THERE  was  a  strange  silence  everywhere,  as 
is  not  uncommon  in  the  month  of  August, 
for  now  the  promises  of  summer  had  been 
made  good,  and  the  world  is  at  rest.  Not  a 
leaf  stirred,  and,  except  the  plaintive  note  of 
some  far-off  bird,  I  could  hear  only  my  own 
foot-falls.  The  trees  and  fields  and  shaded 
winding  lane  were  as  I  had  seen  them  last, 
when  darkness  shut  them  in,  but  now,  in  the 
early  morning,  it  seemed  as  if  the  sun  had 
brought  sad  tidings.  It  has  always  appeared 
to  me  that  August  days  are  days  for  retro- 
spection, and  that  the  mind  is  supersensitive 
at  such  a  time.  It  takes  notice  of  those 
things  which  in  the  hurry  and  clatter  of 
June  are  overlooked.  This  is  no  mere 
whim,  and  on  this  occasion  the  effect  was 

9 


INTRODUCTION 

to  convince  me  that  something  unusual  had 
happened  or  was  about  to  occur. 

I  had  heard  of  an  oaken  chest,  with  huge 
brass  clamps,  and  to-day  set  out  to  find  it. 
There  was  not  a  wagon  to  be  seen  when  I 
turned  from  the  lane  into  the  township  road, 
and  so  I  had  the  dusty  highway  to  myself,  a 
furthering  of  my  fancy.  Even  more  lonely 
was  the  wood-road  into  which  I  turned,  and 
of  late  it  had  been  so  little  used,  it  was  as 
much  the  meeting-ground  of  bird-life  as  of 
humanity.  Everywhere  it  was  shaded  by 
cedars  of  great  age  or  by  elms  under  which 
the  moss  had  grown  since  colonial  days. 
Along  this  ancient  way  the  rambler  has 
little  to  remind  him  of  the  changes  wrought 
in  the  passing  century.  What  few  houses 
are  passed  in  the  course  of  a  long  walk  are 
old-time  structures,  and  more  than  one  has 
been  abandoned.  The  reason  was  plain : 
the  land  is  poor,  and  whatever  inducements 
were  held  out  to  the  original  settlers  had  not 
been  continued  to  the  fifth  and  sixth  genera- 
tions. Still,  not  all  the  tract  had  reverted  to 
forest.  A  little  garden-plot  about  each  of 


INTRODUCTION 

the  cottages  that  were  occupied  was  still  held 
back,  by  spade  and  hoe,  from  the  encroach- 
ments of  wild  growth,  and  in  the  last  cot- 
tage to  be  reached,  surrounded  by  every 
feature  of  an  old-fashioned  garden,  lived 
Silas  Crabtree.  As  a  child  I  had  feared  him, 
and  now  I  both  disliked  and  admired  him ; 
why — as  is  so  often  the  case — I  could  not 
tell. 

The  man  and  his  house  were  not  unlike. 
The  cottage  was  a  long,  low  building,  one 
and  a  half  stories  high.  A  window  on  each 
side  of  the  door  barely  showed  beneath  the 
projecting  roof  of  a  narrow  porch  extending 
the  full  length  of  the  front.  There  was  a 
single  step  from  the  porch  to  the  ground. 
From  the  roof  projected  two  squat  dormer 
windows.  The  shingles  were  darkened  by 
long  exposure,  and  patches  of  moss  grew 
about  the  eaves.  Silas  was  like  this.  The 
windows  and  door  and  long  low  step  recalled 
his  eyes,  nose,  and  mouth,  overtopped  by 
low  projecting  brows  and  unkempt  hair,  that 
were  well  represented  by  the  cottage  roof 
with  its  moss  and  dormers.  So  far  the  house 


INTRODUCTION 

and  its  solitary  inmate ;  but  the  open  well 
with  its  long  sweep,  the  clump  of  lilacs,  the 
spreading  beech  with  initials  cut  long  years 
ago, — these  were  a  poem. 

While  the  day  was  yet  young,  I  passed 
by,  and  Silas  was  sitting  on  the  porch.  The 
quiet  of  this  month  of  day-dreams  was  un- 
broken. The  cat-bird  hopped  about  the 
grass,  but  was  mute ;  a  song-sparrow  was 
perched  on  the  topmost  twig  of  a  dead 
quince-bush,  but  did  not  sing ;  a  troop  of 
crows  was  passing  overhead  in  perfect 
silence.  Feeling  more  strongly  than  ever 
the  moodiness  of  the  morning,  I  strove  to 
break  the  spell  by  shouting,  with  unnecessary 
emphasis,  "  Good-morning,  Uncle  Silas." 
With  a  sudden  start  the  old  man  looked  up 
and  stared  wildly  about  him.  Straightway  the 
cat-bird  chirped,  the  sparrow  sang,  and  from 
over  the  tree-tops  came  the  welcome  cawing 
of  the  crows.  Even  a  black  cat  came  from 
the  house  and  rubbed  its  arched  back  against 
Silas's  knees.  The  spell  was  broken,  and 
the  old  man  growled  (for  he  could  not  talk 
as  other  men),  "  I'm  glad  you've  come." 


12 


INTRODUCTION 

"Oh,  I  was  only  passing  by;  were  you 
asleep?" 

"  Sleepin'  or  not,  I  was  thinkin'  of  you. 
Come  in." 

Stepping  rather  reluctantly  into  the  yard, 
I  sat  down  on  the  floor  of  the  porch  near 
Silas, — for  he  did  not  offer  to  get  me  a  chair, 
— and  waited  for  him  to  speak. 

"  As  a  boy,"  said  Silas,  in  softer  tones  than 
I  had  ever  heard  before,  "  you  had  a  grudge 
again'  me,  as  your  father  had  again'  mine, 
and  your  grandpap  again'  mine,  and  so  on 
away  back.  It  never  showed  much,  that  I 
know  of,  but  the  feelin'  was  there :  and  yet 
we  started  even,  for  my  folks  came  from 
England  as  long  ago  as  yourn. 

"  But  there's  no  Crabtree  besides  me,  and 
I  wanted  to  get  things  in  shape,  for  there's 
some  would  like  the  old  cottage  that  ain't 
goin'  to  get  it.  I  don't  know  that  there's 
any  more  to  tell  you."  And  Silas  looked 
out  towards  the  road  and  into  the  woods 
upon  its  other  side. 

I  kept  my  seat.  I  could  not  do  other- 
wise. The  Silas  of  to-day  was  not  he  whom 
13 


INTRODUCTION 

I  had  known  in  years  past.  Although  there 
was  no  evidence  of  it  in  the  old  .man's 
words,  I  was  convinced  he  had  reference  to 
me  as  his  heir ;  but  what  of  that  ?  He 
might  change  his  mind  a  dozen  times,  for 
he  was  not  so  very,  very  old, — not  much,  if 
any,  over  eighty ;  and  what,  indeed,  had  he 
to  leave*? 

Many  minutes  passed,  and  then,  as  I  made 
a  slight  movement,  merely  to  change  my 
position,  Silas  spoke  in  the  same  strangely 
softened  voice.  "  Don't  go,  don't  go ;  there's 

one  thing  more "     He  suddenly  paused, 

and  stared,  with  a  wild  look,  directly  at  me. 
The  silence  was  painful ;  his  strange  appear- 
ance more  so.  In  a  moment  the  truth 
flashed  across  me :  he  was  dead. 

II. 

I  was  not  surprised  to  learn,  immediately 
after  the  funeral,  that  I  had  been  left  the  sole 
legatee  of  the  man  whose  death  I  had 
witnessed.  When  I  took  formal  possession 
of  the  cottage  and  its  contents,  I  entered 
the  house  for  the  first  time  in  my  life.  To 


INTRODUCTION 

cross  the  threshold  was  to  step  backward 
into  colonial  times.  How  true  it  is  that  it 
needs  at  least  a  century  to  mellow  a  house 
and  make  it  faintly  comparable  to  out-of- 
doors  ! 

The  hall-way  of  the  Crabtree  cottage  was 
neither  short  nor  narrow,  but  you  got  that 
impression  from  its  low  ceiling  and  the  dark 
wooden  walls,  which  time  had  almost  black- 
ened. Lifting  a  stout  wooden  latch,  I 
passed  into  the  living-room,  with  its  ample 
open  fireplace,  long  unused,  for  a  little  air- 
tight stove  had  done  duty  for  both  cooking 
and  heating  for  many  years.  This  was  the 
only  innovation :  all  else  was  as  when  its 
first  occupant  had  moved  into  the  "new" 
house  and  given  over  the  log  hut  to  other 
uses.  The  high-backed  settle,  the  quaint, 
claw-footed  chairs,  a  home-made  table,  with 
bread-trough  underneath,  seemed  never  to 
have  been  moved  from  their  places  since 
Silas's  mother  died.  These  made  less  im- 
pression than  would  otherwise  have  been  the 
case,  because  with  them  was  a  very  old  and 
mysterious-looking  desk.  It  was  a  bureau 
15 


INTRODUCTION 

with  five  brass-handled  drawers,  and  above 
them  the  desk  proper,  concealed  by  a  heavy, 
sloping  lid.  The  dark  wood  had  still  a  fine 
polish,  and  the  lid  was  neatly  ornamented 
with  an  inlaid  star  of  holly  wood.  It,  with 
the  three-plumed  mirror  on  the  wall  above 
it,  was  the  eclipsing  feature  of  the  room. 
All  else,  well  enough  in  its  way,  seemed 
commonplace.  Drawing  a  chair  in  front  of 
the  desk,  I  sat  down  to  explore  it,  but  was 
bewildered  at  the  very  outset.  Lowering  the 
lid,  the  many  pigeon-holes,  small  drawers, 
and  inner  apartment  closed  by  a  carved 
door,  took  me  too  much  by  surprise  to  let 
me  be  methodical.  Everywhere  were  old, 
stained  papers  and  parchments,  some  so  very 
old  the  ink  had  faded  from  them ;  but  there 
was  no  disorder.  At  last,  knowing  it  was 
no  time  to  dream,  I  drew  out  a  bundle  of 
papers  from  a  pigeon-hole,  and  noticed  in 
doing  so  that  a  strip  of  carved  wood,  which  I 
had  taken  for  ornament,  slightly  moved.  It 
proved  to  be  a  long  and  very  narrow  drawer, 
and  this  again  had  a  more  carefully  hidden 
compartment  in  the  back,  as  a  narrow  line  in 

16 


INTRODUCTION 

the  wood  showed.  Peering  into  this,  I  found 
a  scrap  of  paper  so  long  and  closely  folded 
that  it  fell  apart  when  opened ;  but  the 
writing  was  still  distinct.  It  was  as  follows  : 
"  It  is  his  Excellency's,  Genl.  Howe's  express 
order,  that  no  person  shall  injure  Silas  Crab- 
tree  in  his  person  or  property."  It  was  duly 
signed,  countersigned,  and  dated  Dec'r  9, 
1776.  So  Silas,  the  great-grandfather,  had 
been  a  Tory !  I  was  prepared  now  for 
revelations  of  any  kind.  To  look  quietly 
over  papers,  one  at  a  time,  was  too  prosy  an 
occupation,  and  the  suggestion  that  there 
might  be  more  secret  drawers  was  followed 
until  every  nook  and  cranny  had  been  laid 
bare, — and  there  were  many  of  them. 

The  next  day,  as  the  place  could  not  be 
left  unguarded,  I  moved  the  old  desk  to  my 
own  home,  and  placed  a  tenant  in  the 
cottage ;  and  now,  there  is  not  a  scrap  of 
paper  among  all  that  the  desk  contained 
that  I  have  not  read,  and  my  comment  is : 
colonial  days  were  not  so  very  unlike  those 
of  the  present  time.  It  is  true,  our  ances- 
tors' surroundings  were  very  different,  and 

2  17 


" 


INTRODUCTION 

much  that  was  then  accounted  a  luxury  is 
now  an  absolute  necessity,  or  so  we  think ; 
but  of  one  condition  there  can  be  no  dispute, 
human  nature  was  the  same. 

Among  the  many  papers  that  had  been  so 
long  preserved  there  chanced  to  be  that  rarest 
form  of  old  documents,  a  journal.  Almost 
two  centuries  ago,  an  eye-witness  of  the 
occurrences  to  be  narrated  made  brief  men- 
tion of  the  part  he  took  therein.  These, 
with  various  memoranda,  which  threw  more 
or  less  light  upon  fhe  doings  of  those  days, 
were  rolled  together  and  enclosed  in  a  quaint 
red  leather  wallet,  from  which  the  silver 
clasp  had  been  taken ;  and  from  these  time- 
worn  records,  which  are  still  preserved,  I  have 
gathered  the  essential  features  of  the  story  of 
Ruth  Davenport,  who  in  fact,  and  not  merely 
in  the  author's  fancy,  was  known  to  many  as 
a  "  Quaker  Fairy." 


18 


A  Colonial  Wooing 


Chapter  I. 
A  Fruitless  Discussion. 

"  MOTHER,  John  has  spoken — " 

"  Daughter,  father  will  not  approve — " 

"Of   John's    having    remarked    it    is  a 

pleasant  day  *?" 

"  I   supposed    that  thee  meant    that   he 

had—" 

"Suggested   so  serious  a  matter  as  my 

taking  up — " 

"  Daughter,  thee  is  strangely  giddy — " 
"  Mother,  is  thee  not  strangely  hasty  to 

suppose — " 

"  Ruth,  dear,  let  me — " 

"  Yes,  mother ;  but  first  let  me — " 

Both  talked  so  nearly  at  once  that  it  might 

be  said  that  neither  listened,  and  now  a  word 
'9 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

as  to  who  these  people  were,  this  mother  and 
daughter  who  apparently  agreed  only  to  dis- 
agree. It  stands  recorded  in  the  minutes  of 
an  English  Monthly  Meeting  of  the  Society 
of  Friends  that  in  the  year  1666  Edmund 
Davenport,  of  Ayton,  and  Anne  Pearson,  of 
Monthorp,  were  married '  at  Kirby  Grindale. 
Their  daughter  Ruth  was  born  twelve  years 
after;  and  it  is  further  on  record  that  her 
mother,  widowed  but  a  year,  married  Mat- 
thew Watson,  and  in  1682  emigrated  to 
America,  and  thirteen  years  later,  having 
weathered  all  the  privations  of  those  primitive 
times,  Ruth  was  a  well-grown  girl  of  seventeen 
and  her  mother  a  well-preserved  woman  of 
fifty.  Constant  toil,  some  anxiety,  and  a 
scarcely  concealed  longing  for  her  old  home 
across  the  sea  had  told  upon  the  mother, 
and  she  would  have  been  judged  to  be  older 
than  she  really  was  when  seen,  as  she  was 
this  bright  October  afternoon,  busy  with  the 
much  needed  mending  of  various  garments, 
for  there  were  now  two  boys  to  care  for. 
Thus  occupied,  Anne  Watson  was  more 
disposed  to  look  backward  and  recall  the 


20 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

brighter  days  long  gone,  and  who  can 
indulge  in  retrospective  thought  without  its 
sobering  the  countenance,  when  the  present 
ill  compares  to  the  past?  Not  that  the 
woman  was  positively  unhappy,  but  she 
had  opposed  the  suggestion  of  coming  to 
America,  when  broached,  and  yielded  with 
but  a  mere  show  of  grace.  In  short,  in 
spite  of  much  effort  and  prayer,  she  could 
not  quite  overcome  her  disappointment ;  and 
then  Friend  Stacy  had  seen  the  country  from 
a  man's  point  of  view,  and  the  acquiring  of 
an  estate  being  six-sevenths  of  his  thought, 
he  had  grossly  misrepresented  the  country, 
and  there  were  endless  hardships  that  the 
woman  had  to  endure  for  years  after  their 
arrival.  Matthew  Watson,  too,  was  wholly 
engrossed  in  the  same  worldly  occupation  of 
acquiring  an  estate. 

To  be  poor  and  yet  a  Friend  was  simply 
a  contradiction.  Inability  to  acquire  wealth 
argued  an  understanding  too  feeble  to 
appreciate  the  teachings  of  George  Fox. 
Business,  the  concerns  of  the  world,  may 
perhaps  not  have  been  quite  six-sevenths  of 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

the  Friends'  concerns,  but  it  would  seem  as 
if  as  much  effort  was  required  to  shake  the 
dust  from  their  shoes,  when  they  entered 
meeting  on  the  first  day,  as  to  shake  the 
worldliness  from  their  thoughts.  How  else, 
then,  can  we  explain  the  remark  during  silent 
meeting  one  fifth  day  morning  of  Mahlon 
Stacy,  when,  hearing  a  loud  clap  of  thunder, 
he  muttered  audibly,  "  Tut-tut-tut !  my  hay." 
Duty  had  brought  him  from  the  meadow  to 
the  meeting,  but  at  a  critical  moment  had  left 
him  in  the  lurch. 

But  more  than  all  else  that  had  sobered 
Ruth's  mother  was  Ruth  herself;  for,  as 
events  in  the  past  had  proved,  the  mother 
was  conscientiously  a  Friend  and  accepted 
Fox  implicitly  as  her  teacher  and  guide,  and 
now  as  her  daughter  approached  woman- 
hood, she  essayed,  but  in  vain,  to  have  her 
like  unto  herself.  Ruth,  although  surrounded 
by  Quaker  influences  all  her  life,  soon  began 
to  make,  so  the  world  holds,  the  fatal  mis- 
take of  thinking  for  herself.  While  never 
disobedient  as  a  child,  she  was  always  inde- 
pendent, and  the  excellence  of  her  judgment 


22 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

caused  frequent  comment  among  her  elders, 
but  not  dissociated  with  the  fear  that  she 
might,  by  her  too  great  self-reliance,  prove 
something  of  a  thorn  in  her  parents'  flesh 
in  years  to  come.  Her  comely  figure,  the 
grace  of  every  movement,  and  the  brightness 
of  dark-blue  eyes  that  the  hideous  bonnet 
of  those  bigoted  days  could  not  conceal, 
caused  many  a  young  head  to  be  turned  as 
she  entered  meeting,  and  this  the  elders,  in 
sober  array  in  the  gallery,  had  too  often 
noticed  not  to  hint  at  the  unseemliness  of 
the  habit.  "  It  is  a  concern  upon  my  mind 
that  we  should  restrain  our  children  more ; 
their  thoughts  are  too  much  of  this  world 
and  too  little  of  their  souls'  salvation," 
Friend  Stacy  had  recently  remarked,  and  Ruth 
had  severely  criticised  him  when  she  reached 
home.  "Why  should  we  be  restrained 
from  loving  that  which  is  neither  a  device 
of  man  nor  the  devil.  There  is  color,  music, 
gayety  everywhere,  except  in  our  houses,  and 
yet  we  are  asked  to  turn  our  backs  upon  it. 
That's  what  his  sermon  amounts  to.  I  can 
look,  without  offence,  at  a  blooming  rose,  if 
23 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

it  is  out  of  reach,  but  must  not  pick  it  or 
put  it  on  my  kerchief.  Mustn't  indeed  !  I 
will."  And  with  this  vehement  protest  Ruth 
darted  from  the  house,  and  before  her  parents 
could  recover  their  astonishment,  returned 
with  an  apron-full  of  scarlet  autumn  leaves 
and  scattered  them  over  the  kitchen  floor; 
then  standing  in  front  of  her  mother,  who 
looked  ill  with  fright,  asked,  "  Would  thee 
have  the  whole  world  steeped  in  dust  and 
dinginess ;  never  a  blue  sky  or  a  rosy  sunset  *? 
Always  clouds  above  and  bare  ground  be- 
neath *?  Oh,  for  the  gay  cousins  that  we  have 
in  England,  for  which  thee  feel  so  much 
concern  !  How  I  would  like  to  see  them  !" 
And  again  away  she  flew  like  a  frightened 
bird,  seeing  that  at  last  she  had  overtaxed  her 
father's  patience  and  he  was  about  to  speak. 
An  hour  later,  when  he  came  in,  evidently 
with  a  fixed  determination  to  sternly  rebuke 
his  step-daughter,  he  found  her  demure  as  the 
soberest  "  Friend"  in  all  Chesterfield,  and 
with  "  No  Cross,  No  Crown,"  lying  opened 
upon  her  lap.  She  looked  up  with  the 

merest  trace  of  a  smile  lighting  her  face,  and 
24 


as  it  had  always  been,  he  was  moved  to  say 
nothing.  Matthew  Watson  was  proud  of 
his  step-daughter  and  afraid  of  his  neighbors, 
but  could  not  have  been  forced  to  admit  it. 
He  had  heard  more  than  one  comment  that 
inwardly  moved  him,  yet  deemed  it  prudence 
not  to  speak  in  her  defence.  His  standing 
in  meeting  might  be  affected.  It  had  been 
soberly  stated  that  the  sun  shone  about  her 
even  when  the  day  was  cloudy,  and  that  she 
needed  no  taper  when  she  retired.  Such  was 
the  gossip  of  meddlesome  old  women,  and 
Matthew  Watson  had  heard  of  the  witchcraft 
in  New  England  and  was  a  little  troubled ; 
but  he  was  an  elder  in  meeting  and  must 
hold  his  peace.  Not  so  Ruth's  mother. 
She  dared  speak,  at  least  in  her  own  house, 
and  so  that  same  bright  October  afternoon 
she  finally  gained  her  daughter's  attention 
and  spoke  her  mind  freely. 

"  Ruth,  I  insist  that  thee  shall  listen.  Thee 
knows  full  well  thy  conscience  troubles  thee, 
and  yet  thee  will  riot  heed  the  warnings  of 
the  inward  voice." 

"  But,  mother — " 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"Do  not  speak,  dear,  until  I  have  done. 
Thee  cannot  in  thy  soberer  moments  acquit 
thyself  for  such  light  conversation  and — " 

"  And  what  ?"  asked  Ruth,  as  her  mother 
paused  for  a  moment,  opening  her  magnifi- 
cent eyes  to  the  fullest  extent  and  gazing 
into  her  mother's  face. 

"  And  conduct  towards  John." 

Ruth  had  been  sitting  on  a  low  stool  at 
her  mother's  feet  during  the  conversation,  but 
when  she  heard  these  words,  she  sprang  to 
her  feet  and  repeated  them  with  an  emphasis 
suggestive  of  mingled  indignation  and  sur- 
prise. 

"  Conduct  towards  John  !  Why,  1  have 
known  him  since  almost  a  baby,  and  never 
a  word  of  this  until  now.  What  has  been 
said  to  thee  about  us,  or  what  has  thee  or 
father  noticed  that  I  should  be  so  strangely 
taken  to  task  ?" 

"  Does  thee  not  know  that  John  is  much 
impressed  by  thee*?" 

"  No,  mother,  nor  is  he  aware  of  it,  nor  is 
thee,  nor  is  any  one  except  the  idle  busybodies 

that  have  crept  into  our  scattered  neighbor- 
26 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

hood,  or  were  here  before  we  came.  The 
only  impression  I  ever  made  on  John  Bishop 
was  when  I  jumped  from  the  overturning 
boat  and  landed  on  his  feet.  I  noticed  he 
limped  for  half  an  hour  afterwards." 

"  Ruth,  Ruth,  will  thee  never  be  serious  ?" 
asked  her  mother,  in  despair. 

"  Never,  mother  dear,  when  thee  persists  in 
talking  in  such  a  way.  John  Bishop  has  his 
shop  to  look  after,  and  I  do  not  believe  his 
business  is  so  flourishing  that  he  is  thinking 
of  a  wife.  Thee  need  not  fear  my  friendly 
greeting,  when  we  happen  to  meet,  will  cause 
him  to  lose  his  heart,  and  I  have  yet  got 
mine  in  my  own  keeping.  Why,  mother, 
I'm  but  seventeen  and  he  is — must  be  thirty. 
Really,  you  seem  to  be  putting  such  ideas  in 
my  head  in  hopes  that  I  will  soon  marry  and 
leave  you.  Do  you  want  me  to  leave  you, 
mother  dear,  so  very,  very  soon1?"  And 
again  those  deep  blue  eyes  opened  widely 
and  pleaded,  as  usual,  far  more  eloquently 
than  any  words. 

"  Indeed,  I  do  not,  Ruth,  as  thee  should 

know ;"  but  Ruth  felt  that  perhaps  her  mother 
27 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

had  given  such  a  thought  some  consideration 
and  was  not  disposed  to  listen  further.  Kiss- 
ing her  mother  while  she  was  yet  speaking, 
she  turned  suddenly  and  left  the  room. 


Chapter  II. 
New  to  the  Neighborhood. 

EASY  communication  with  Philadelphia, 
by  water,  had  made  it  so  practicable  for  the 
settlers  of  the  back  country,  as  the  valley  of 
Crosswicks  Creek  was  then  called,  to  procure 
such  household  articles  and  farm  utensils  as 
were  needed,  that  so  early  as  1695  only 
grist-mills  had  as  yet  been  established,  and 
these  were  few  and  far  between.  The  Indian 
mortars  were  still  in  common  use,  and  he 
was  the  thriftiest  settler  who  was  the  best  me- 
chanic and  could  most  easily  depend  upon 
himself.  The  ordinary  divisions  of  labor 
outside  the  village  of  Philadelphia  were  prac- 
tically wanting,  and  so  it  was  a  decided  nov- 
elty, and  hailed  as  evidence  of  better  days 
when  perhaps  a  village  would  centre  about 
some  convenient  point,  when  John  Bishop 
and  William  Blake  built  a  wheelwright-shop 

and  smithy  at  a  sharp  bend  of  the  winding 
29 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

road  that  led  from  the  forest  and  scattered 
plantations  of  Burlington  County,  where  it 
crossed  the  creek  and  continued  to  the  river. 
It  was  a  particularly  pleasing  feature  of  the 
neighborhood  to  those  who  were  keenly  bent 
upon  acquiring  an  estate,  because  it  was 
evidence  of  a  steady  and  healthy  growth  of 
the  scattered  community,  and  it  was  hailed 
with  keen  delight  by  the  descendants  of  those 
earliest  settlers,  English,  Swedes,  and  Dutch, 
who,  having  provided  for  their  few  wants, 
were  pleased  to  have  a  lounging-place  ;  and 
so  it  came  about  that  at  Bishop  and  Blake's 
those  who  for  the  time  being  might  be  idle 
were  soon  wont  to  congregate. 

Skilled  workmen  were  then  more  promi- 
nent in  the  social  world  than  now.  Not  that 
labor  has  ever  lost  its  dignity,  but  wealth  had 
not  yet  become  the  arrogant  tyrant  of  to-day ; 
and  among  the  Friends  some  calling  was 
required  of  every  one.  There  was  but  one 
profession  open  to  them,  medicine,  and  but 
few  had  the  opportunity,  even  if  the  inclina- 
tion, to  devote  themselves  thereto.  To  have 

a  trade  was  a  necessity;  to  be  apprenticed 
30 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

and  learn  to  work  with  hands  as  well  as  head 
the  experience  of  every  boy.  To  master  the 
trade's  secrets,  to  become  a  skilled  workman, 
was,  in  short,  to  become  a  successful  man ; 
one  that  commanded,  and  deservedly  so,  the 
respect  of  his  fellows. 

Wheeled  vehicles  were  not  a  prominent 
feature  of  the  public  roads  at  this  time,  and 
Bishop  and  Blake  had  but  few  carts  to  build 
or  mend,  but  still  they  were  not  idle.  They 
offered  their  services  in  every  way  as  good  me- 
chanics, and  there  was  enough  simple  furni- 
ture to  be  made  and  of  miscellaneous  repairing 
to  keep  their  tools  bright.  The  shop  itself 
was  a  primitive  affair,  a  long,  low  wooden 
shed,  built  of  squared  logs,  and  not  unlike  in 
general  appearance  many  a  dwelling  in  the 
lonely  valley.  There  were  two  features,  how- 
ever, that  appealed  to  every  one  who  passed 
by.  During  summer  and  early  autumn  a 
superb,  spreading  oak  near  the  shop  door  cast 
a  welcome  shade,  wherein  the  lounger  was 
well  content  to  linger,  and  a  roomy  fireplace 
with  its  rude  forge,  that  defied  the  most 
earnest  efforts  of  winter  to  make  the  place 
31 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

cheerless  even  when  storms  raged  without. 
An  all-pervading  evidence  of  welcome  greeted 
every  comer,  and  a  stranger  was  hailed  with 
demonstrations  of  delight.  Communication 
with  the  outside  world,  and  especially  with 
England,  was  infrequent,  and  a  letter  from 
across  the  sea  would  often  be  read  to  those 
gathered  under  the  oak,  with  but  scanty 
omission  of  strictly  private  matter.  Natu- 
rally every  unusual  occurrence  among  the 
settlers  was  quickly  known  to  all,  and  so 
every  prolonged  conversation  ultimately 
turned  upon  the  future  of  the  province. 

As  the  warm  October  sunshine  brings  the 
bees  and  wasps  to  our  south  windows,  where 
they  busily  hum  and  buzz  as  if  they  had  the 
cares  of  the  world  upon  their  shoulders,  so, 
this  pleasant  afternoon,  it  had  brought  several 
of  the  neighbors  to  the  front  of  the  shop, 
some  with  a  purpose  and,  as  usual,  others 
without  one.  Among  the  former  was  Mat- 
thew Watson,  to  take  away  a  mended  tool 
that  he  had  left,  and  as  he  was  passing  from 
the  door  he  gave  a  disapproving  glance  at 
the  little  knot  of  idlers,  as  he  thought  them 
32 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

who  were  standing  about  the  old  oak's  gnarly 
trunk.  As  these  few  men  were  quite  uncon- 
scious of  any  impropriety  in  congregating 
as  they  had  done,  they  gave  no  heed  to  Friend 
Watson  beyond  a  pleasant  greeting,  and  so 
were  the  more  surprised  that  he  should  in- 
terrupt their  conversation. 

"  Is  it  not  most  unseemly,"  he  asked,  "  to 
idle  away  such  precious  time,  when  the 
season  is  so  favorable  for  labor?  Is  it 
possible  that  you  have  no  greater  concern 
upon  your  minds  than  idle  gossip*?" 

"  I  was  not  aware,  Neighbor  Watson,"  re- 
marked Robert  Pearson,  with  some  excite- 
ment, "that  either  I  or  these  friends  were 
idling  our  own  time ;  and  what  if  it  were 
true,  for  you  have  yourself  said  it  was  our 
own  time  that  was  passing,  and  so  not  yours," 
giving  emphasis  to  the  "  you"  and  "  yours" 
with  evident  satisfaction,  for  Robert  was  a 
churchman  of  a  belligerent  stamp. 

Matthew  Watson  had  been  so  successful 
in  worldly  affairs  that  he  had  become  in  a 
measure  dictatorial,  as  is  so  often  the  case, 
and  this  unfortunate  feature  had  gradually 

3  33 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

intensified  as  his  views  of  religion  became 
more  and  more  pronounced.  Possibly  he 
would  not  have  burned  a  church  or  hanged 
a  churchman,  but  he  would  have  removed 
them  from  the  province  to  the  nearest  desert. 

Robert  Pearson  had  turned  his  back  upon 
his  neighbor  when  he  ceased  speaking,  and 
was  about  resuming  his  conversation  that  had 
been  so  strangely  interrupted,  when  it  oc- 
curred to  him  that  he  would  still  further 
speak  his  mind,  and,  facing  about,  added, 
"I  am  as  much  bound  by  my  interests 
to  this  country  as  you  are,  hold  as  many 
acres,  pay  as  large  a  tax,  and  trust  I  have  a 
right  to  expect  as  much  respect  from  my 
fellows.  We  were  talking  of  a  project  that 
concerns  us  all,  that  of  building  a  draw- 
bridge over  the  creek,  where  the  ferry  now 
is.  You  know  the  ford  was  but  a  poor 
accommodation,  and  now  the  ferry  is  little 
better.  A  bridge  would  be  greatly  to  our 
advantage." 

"  I  do  not  know  that  the  ferry  has  ever 
failed  to  bring  me  over  safely,"  remarked 
Matthew,  in  a  haughty  tone,  for  his  anger 
34 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

still  glowed  under  the  thin  covering  of  non- 
resistant  principles. 

"  Nor  has  it  failed  me ;  but  in  winter,  as 
you  know,  we  have  to  trust  to  the  uncertain 
ice  at  times,  and  that  was  nearly  an  accident 
when  the  ice  broke  behind  your  cart  instead 
of  under  it.  Your  memory  is  short." 

"  I  trust  it  will  never  become  as  short  as 
thy  tongue  is  flippant,"  Matthew  replied,  and 
moved  away. 

"  Do,  friends,  do  be  guarded  in  your  con- 
versation, lest  Friend  Watson  take  offence," 
exclaimed  William  Blake,  running,  bare- 
headed, from  the  shop.  "  He  may  prejudice 
the  neighbors  and  so  we  lose  their  trade." 

"Don't  worry  on  that  score,  William," 
replied  Robert  Pearson ;  "  the  whole  province 
is  not  made  up  of  Quakers,  not  even  this 
township  of  Chesterfield,  and,  thank  good- 
ness, all  are  not  of  the  stamp  of  Matthew 
Watson." 

'*  I  know,  I  know ;  but,  friends,  I've  forty 
pounds  silver  money  in  this  venture  and  John 
has  but  ten,  and  it  weighs  upon  me  that  we 
may  not  succeed." 

35 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

His  hearers  laughed  heartily  at  the  poor 
fellow's  fears  and  began  teasing  him,  when 
his  partner,  John  Bishop,  walked  from  the 
shop  door.  The  little  group  at  once  turned 
towards  him  as  he  approached,  for  he  was, 
though  a  young  man,  one  that  commanded 
the  respect  of  all  who  knew  him.  The 
influence  of  his  presence  is  not  readily  ex- 
plained. There  was  nothing  in  his  manner 
in  the  nature  of  a  demand  except  for  that 
respectful  treatment  that  all  true  men  ask  for 
themselves;  but  beyond  this  was  a  subtle 
something,  a  look,  a  tone,  a  motion,  what 
you  will,  that  attracted  attention  and  excited 
admiration.  Of  medium  height,  properly 
proportioned,  with  delicate  features,  but  with 
chin  so  far  prominent  and  square  as  to  in- 
dicate firmness,  yet  without  a  trace  of  ob- 
stinacy ;  in  short,  a  man  capable  of  forming 
an  opinion,  and  not  incapable  of  relinquishing 
it  if  convinced  of  its  defectiveness.  In  other 
words,  John  Bishop  was  a  superior  man ; 
one  that  would  be  looked  to,  if  not  always 
as  a  leader,  at  least  as  one  to  whom  it  is 
desirable  to  listen  should  he  see  fit  to  speak. 
36 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  William,  thee  left  an  iron  in  the  fire  that 
is  far  more  likely  to  suffer  than  thy  forty 
pounds."  And  taking  the  hint,  John's  timid 
partner  slipped  quietly  back  to  the  shop  and 
was  seen  no  more.  Turning  then  to  Robert 
Pearson,  John  continued,  "  Let  us  counsel 
patience  when  we  have  so  much  to  do  to 
make  our  community  a  success,  and  certainly 
anything  like  a  quarrel  is  a  step  backward." 

Robert  said  nothing  in  reply,  and  while  it 
was  plain  that  he  was  annoyed  and  took  the 
reproof  as  a  disguised  threat,  it  was  equally 
evident  that  he  would  be  very  slow  to  pick  a 
quarrel  with  John  Bishop,  than  whom  there 
was  no  more  peaceful  man  in  the  province, 
and  yet  none  that  would  more  promptly  face 
danger  if  the  necessity  arose.  To  these  gifts 
should  be  added  a  happy  quickness  of  wit 
that  grasped  an  awkward  situation  promptly 
and  placed  others  at  ease  more  quickly  than 
their  own  efforts  would  have  done.  "  You 
were  talking  of  the  ferry,  I  think,  so  let  us 
walk  down  to  it  now,  and  on  the  spot  we 
can  better  plan  for  the  change  to  a  bridge,  if 
determined  upon."  And  the  group  started  for 

37 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

the  creek,  John  Bishop  and  Robert  Pearson 
taking  the  lead. 

It  was  but  a  short  distance,  a  small  fraction 
of  a  mile,  and  in  a  few  minutes  these  earnest 
men  were  standing  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
creek,  which,  after  curving  and  twisting 
through  the  wide  meadows,  was  here,  at  the 
ferry,  narrow,  rapid,  and  deep. 


Chapter  III. 
"  There's  Many  a  Slip,  etc" 

THE  lane  leading  from  Matthew  Watson's 
to  the  creek  was  a  short  but  very  winding 
one,  and  for  much  of  the  way  well  shaded 
by  thrifty  trees.  A  more  direct  route  might 
have  been  laid  out  without  the  loss  of  any 
tillable  or  pasture  land.  Years  ago,  when 
the  house  was  built,  there  had  been  some 
discussion  concerning  this  lane,  and  Matthew 
now  regretted  at  times  that  he  had  yielded  to 
others,  for  he  knew  it  to  be  a  common  say- 
ing among  his  worldly  neighbors  that  the 
lane  was  as  crooked  as  its  owner.  But 
Matthew's  wife  had  taken  matters  in  hand  at 
the  critical  moment  and  astonished  her  over- 
bearing husband  by  a  firmness  that  was  before 
then  unsuspected.  All  attractiveness  should 
not  be  sacrificed  to  the  selfish  convenience 
of  the  men.  The  landscape,  as  she  saw  it 
from  the  single  window  of  her  little  parlor 

39 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

anci  from  the  two  larger  windows  of  the 
roomy  kitchen,  had  several  pleasing  features, 
and  these  she  succeeded  in  preserving,  when 
the  suggestion  was  made  to  clear  the  inter- 
vening ground  of  its  scattered  trees  and  cut 
a  straight  and  level  road  to  the  creek's  bank. 
A  stately  tulip-tree,  a  branching  elm,  and  half 
a  dozen  sturdy  scarlet-oaks  crowned  a  bit  of 
slightly  rising  ground,  and  between  them  she 
had  the  road  to  wind,  and  even  prevailed 
on  her  husband  to  plant  other  trees  and  a 
short  hedge  of  rhododendron,  that  the  whole 
way  might  in  time  become  a  most  pleasant 
place.  She  would  indeed  have  gone  even 
further  in  this  matter  of  landscape  gardening, 
but  Matthew's  patience  was  exhausted,  and 
some  one  had  made  the  unfortunate  remark 
that  his  wife  seemed  to  be  reproducing  some 
of  the  features  of  her  old  home.  Then 
Matthew  became  obstinate  beyond  cure,  for 
it  had  ever  been  a  sore  trial  that  his  wife 
could  not  see  the  world  about  them  with  his 
eyes.  Were  they  not  abundantly  prosperous, 
and  was  not  this  all-sufficient,  and  an  evidence, 

too,  that  heaven  was  smiling  upon   them? 
4o 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

What  more  could  a  woman  want  ?  "  Had 
they  not  a  home,  and  food  and  clothing  in 
abundance*?"  he  had  been  known  to  remark 
on  more  than  one  occasion,  but  he  never 
gave  a  thought  to  the  fact  that  the  yarn  was 
spun,  the  food  prepared,  while  he  was  leisurely 
discussing  with  his  neighbors  the  affairs  of 
the  meeting.  But  Matthew  was  neither  lazy 
nor  heartless,  nor  his  wife  given  to  complain- 
ing. It  was  merely  an  instance  of  a  woman's 
unspoken  thoughts  not  always  according 
with  her  husband's  expressed  convictions. 

Sauntering  down  this  pleasant  lane  came 
Ruth  with  her  two  brothers,  and  when  she 
felt  sure  she  was  quite  out  of  hearing  she 
slowly  sang,  to  the  boys  delight, — 

Reclined  beside  the  crystal  rill, 
When  all  is  lonely,  all  is  still, 
Save  wild  birds'  songs  from  yonder  hill, 
Oh,  let  me  muse  in  secrecy. 

Here  let  me  in  these  shades  reclined 
Forget  the  ills  I  left  behind, 
That  love  was  vain  or  friends  unkind, 
That  fortune  looked  not  smilingly. 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

A  song  of  sorrow  suits  the  day, 
No  star  of  love  doth  light  my  way, 
Friendships  ere  yet  they  bloom  decay, 
All  is  delusive  phantasy. 

Before  her  song  was  finished  they  were 
standing  at  the  water's  edge.  The  crimson 
flush  of  the  Virginia-creeper  that  climbed  a 
tall  cedar  behind  her  was  a  perfect  back- 
ground for  this  fair  young  woman  as  she 
stood  gazing  into  the  swift  stream,  catching 
glimpses  of  herself  whenever,  for  a  second, 
the  water's  surface  was  unruffled.  Pleasures 
come  and  go  as  quickly  as  these  reflections 
of  myself,  she  was  thinking,  and  then  she  held 
her  face  up  and  looked  intently  across  the 
stream,  but  not  so  much  at  the  wooded  slope 
that  on  that  side  hemmed  it  in,  as  at  the  curl- 
ing smoke  that  she  knew  came  from  the  fire 
in  John  Bishop's  shop.  "  How  could  mother 
get  such  an  idea  into  her  head  *?"  she  said  to 
herself,  but  loud  enough  for  her  brothers  to 
hear. 

"What   has   mother   got  in   her  head1?" 
asked  the  younger  of  the  two  boys,  a  per- 
sistent, inquisitive  lad  of  eleven  summers. 
42 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Nothing,  dear,"  Ruth  replied.  "  Please 
try  to  catch  me  a  fish  for  supper." 

"  But  I  want  to  know,"  he  whined,  in  his 
usual  trying  way. 

"  And  thee  cannot  know,  so  go  on  with 
thy  fishing." 

"Then  I'll  ask  mother  when  we  get 
home." 

"  And  then  I  will  no  more  sing  to  thee, 
my  boy." 

"  Thee  is  real  ugly  to  me ;  I  won't  catch 
thee  any  fish." 

"  Am  I,  dear  ?  Well,  I  am  ugly  to  every- 
body and  feel  cross  as  a  bear."  And  again 
Ruth  looked  at  the  little  thread  of  smoke 
that  curled  among  the  branches  of  the  tower- 
ing oak  by  the  shop  door. 

But  if  ugly  in  the  eyes  of  her  little  brother, 
she  was  not  to  others  as  she  stood  on  the 
bank  of  the  creek,  her  stately  figure  trim  as 
the  timid  fawns  that  she  often  started  in  the 
woods,  her  golden-brown  hair  that  rippled 
down  her  back  like  the  laughing  waters  of  a 
pebbly  brook,  her  clear  skin  that  was  slightly 
darkened  by  the  sunshine  to  which  it  was 

43 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

constantly  exposed,  but  not  to  the  conceal- 
ment of  the  color  that  came  and  went  ac- 
cording to  her  mood,  the  well-arched  eye- 
brows darker  than  her  hair,  the  straight  nose 
and  well  rounded,  but  not  too  prominent 
chin ;  these  made  up  a  picture  that  seemed 
to  need  just  such  an  occasion  to  flash  their 
full  significance  upon  the  beholder,  and  there 
she  stood  when  John  Bishop  and  Robert 
Pearson,  leading  the  little  group  that  we  have 
seen  at  the  shop,  came  suddenly  into  view, 
directly  across  the  stream. 

Ruth  recognized  them  at  a  glance  and 
turned  suddenly  to  go  home,  or  at  least  to  be 
out  of  sight,  but  she  was  not  sufficiently 
guarded  in  her  movements.  She  had  been 
standing  on  apparently  firm  ground  and  had 
paid  no  heed  to  its  constant  trembling  nor 
noticed  its  gradual  yielding  to  her  weight. 
Her  more  violent  motion  now  caused  the 
earth,  which  was  deeply  undermined,  to  sud- 
denly give  way.  She  was  not  quick  enough 
to  leap  from  where  she  stood  to  the  fast 
ground,  and  in  an  instant  was  struggling  in 
the  rapid  water  and  borne  by  the  current  into 

44 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

its  channel.  A  piercing  cry  went  up  as  she 
disappeared,  a  cry  that  was  more  than  one 
for  help,  yet  he  who  so  plainly  heard  it  had 
no  such  thought.  She  had  not  cried  out 
"  help  !"  but  "  John  !" 

In  an  instant,  seeing  what  had  happened, 
John  Bishop  had  freed  himself  of  his  coat 
and  heavy  boots  and  plunged  into  the  creek, 
before  his  companions  had  realized  what  had 
really  happened.  A  few  strokes  brought  him 
to  the  spot  where  Ruth  had  sunk,  and  the 
moment  he  reached  it  she  reappeared,  her 
hair  floating  at  full  length  upon  the  surface 
of  the  water  and  her  eyes  widely  opened, 
but  staring  vacantly  at  the  sky,  after  a  sin- 
gle glance  of  recognition.  John  placed  an 
arm  beneath  her  shoulders,  and  thus  bearing 
his  fainting  burden,  with  no  little  difficulty 
stemmed  the  current  and  reached  the  shore. 

John  had  but  followed  an  ordinary  im- 
pulse ;  he  had  seen  a  human  being  in  immi- 
nent danger  and  snatched  her  from  it,  so  he 
thought ;  but  what  meant  that  strange  feel- 
ing in  his  breast  when  he  looked  so  steadily 
into  her  vacant,  staring  eyes,  as  he  laid  her 

45 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

limp  form  upon  the  ground  and,  still  support- 
ing her  head,  said,  imploringly,  "  Ruth,  Ruth, 
you  are  in  no  danger  now ;  do  speak  !" 

The  effects  of  the  shock  were  slowly  pass- 
ing away,  and  before  John's  companions 
could  reach  him,  by  means  of  the  clumsy 
ferry,  Ruth  had  revived  and  murmured,  but 
not  so  gently  that  John  did  not  hear  her,  "  I 
thank  thee,  John ;  do  please  let  me  return 
home." 

Ruth  attempted  to  rise  as  she  spoke,  but 
her  strength  had  not  returned  with  her  con- 
sciousness, and  she  was  utterly  helpless. 

"  Let  me  carry  thee  home,  Ruth,"  said 
John,  very  gently.  And  he  was  about  to  take 
her  up  in  his  arms  as  a  mother  would  lift  her 
little  child,  when  the  men,  who  had  crossed 
the  creek,  came  up  and  made  a  circle  about 
them.  All  asked  at  once  concerning  her  and 
were  anxious  to  be  of  use,  and  the  bewilder- 
ing babel  of  many  voices  was  evidently 
having  an  ill  effect  upon  Ruth's  tortured 
nerves.  John  was  quick  to  see  the  annoy- 
ance their  presence  caused,  and  motioning  to 

them  to  stand  aside  and  keep  silent,  he  lifted 
46 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

Ruth  from  the  ground  and  started  towards 
her  home.  The  men  slowly  followed.  She 
made  no  movement  as  she  was  borne  along 
in  this  strange  manner,  and  without  a  word 
spoken  the  little  procession  reached  Matthew 
Watson's  house. 

Ruth's  mother  chanced  to  see  them  coming, 
and  met  them  at  the  door.  The  two  boys, 
who  until  now  had  been  too  frightened  to 
speak,  rushed  up  to  her  and  shouted,  "  Sister's 
drowned  !" 

"Not  drowned,  but  might  have  been," 
John  remarked,  hastily.  "  Speak,  Ruth."  But 
Mrs.  Watson  did  not  hear  him.  Her  boys' 
words  were  ringing  in  her  ears,  and  with 
clasped  hands  she  sank  upon  the  seat  of  the 
little  porch  and  gazed  vacantly  at  her  daughter, 
still  firmly  held  in  John's  strong  arms.  For 
a  moment  she  could  not  speak,  and  then 
recovering,  she  asked,  "  Is  she  really  gone  *?" 
Assured  to  the  contrary  by  both  Ruth  and 
John,  who  spoke  at  the  same  moment,  she 
arose  and  led  the  way  into  the  house. 


47 


Chapter  IV. 
Too  Much  about  Nothing. 

THERE  were  no  Indian  runners  available 
by  whom  to  report  to  distant  parts  the  im- 
portant occurrences  of  any  day ;  neverthe- 
less news  of  all  kinds  quickly  spread,  and  the 
day  following  the  accident  to  Ruth  members 
of  every  family  in  the  valley  and  beyond  its 
bounds  came  hither,  the  men  usually  gather- 
ing at  the  wheelwright-shop  and  the  women 
at  Ruth's  home,  that  the  minutest  details 
of  the  accident  might  be  obtained.  John 
Bishop,  to  his  great  annoyance,  was  the  hero 
of  the  hour,  and  when  not  being  closely 
questioned  was  gazed  at  as  the  fortunate 
man  who  had  rescued  Ruth.  The  promi- 
nence of  Matthew  Watson  in  the  community 
had,  of  course,  much  to  do  with  such  general 
interest  in  an  incident  which  really  had  no 
heroic  element.  Indeed,  one  observing  old 

man  had  been  heard  to  say, "  Had  it  been  poor 
48 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

folks,  none  on  'em  would  so  much  as  lookt 
out  o'  their  winders." 

The  eye-witnesses  naturally  came  in  for  a 
full  share  of  attention  also,  and  it  was  amusing 
to  hear  each  one  explain  how  it  was  that  he 
was  too  late  to  be  of  any  real  use  in  the 
emergency.  Their  explanations  made  them 
heroes  only  in  their  own  eyes.  One,  more 
loquacious  and  a  coward  at  heart,  remarked, 
as  if  it  was  a  witty  thought,  "  It  looks  like  to 
me  that  John  knew  all  about  it  beforehand, 
and  it  was  planned  to  have  old  Watson  look 
with  favor  on  him,"  and  then  laughed  im 
moderately;  but  his  merriment  was  soon  cut 
short.  The  remark  had  been  overheard,  and 
without  seeing  who  struck  him,  the  fellow 
rolled  upon  the  grass.  Robert  Pearson  had 
no  patience  with  idle  babblers,  and  besides 
that,  Ruth  was  distantly  related. 

John  Bishop  took  the  praise  bestowed 
upon  him  patiently  at  first,  but  before  the 
day  passed  it  became  tiresome  arid  then  dis- 
tasteful. The  truth  was,  the  incident  had 
influenced  him  in  a  way  that  his  neigh- 
bors did  not  suspect.  He  constantly  saw, 

4  49 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

not  Ruth  merely  rescued,  but  her  single 
piercing  glance,  and  then  staring  at  him  with 
those  dark-blue  eyes  that  really  saw  not ;  and 
then  there  would  come  the  vision  of  Ruth 
pleading  to  be  allowed  to  walk  home,  with 
those  eyes  reillumined  with  a  light  not  merely 
of  consciousness  returned — or  was  this  all 
but  a  feverish  fancy  of  his  own  *? 

It  was  not  until  two  days  after  the  accident 
that  Matthew  Watson  called  at  the  shop  to 
thank  John  for  his  timely  assistance.  The 
latter  saw  him  coming  and  divined  his  errand, 
but  there  was  no  escaping  the  inevitable  in- 
terview, and  John  put  on  as  cheerful  a  coun- 
tenance as  possible  and  determined  to  antici- 
pate Matthew  by  changing  the  character  of 
the  conversation,  or  if  the  girl's  rescue  must 
be  mentioned,  he  would  do  the  talking  him- 
self. He  had  been  a  passive  listener  long 
enough. 

"  How  is  thy  daughter,  Ruth,  this  morn- 
ing *?"  he  asked  as  Matthew  entered  the  shop. 
"  I  trust  she  is  well  over  the  annoyance  of  an 
unintended  bath  and  is  in  no  danger  of  catch- 
ing a  fever  from  after-excitement." 
50 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Yes,  um  !  yes ;  I  called,  John,  to  tell  thee 
how  greatly  indebted " 

"  Now  please  be  good  enough,  Neighbor 
Watson,  not  to  talk  of  the  matter.  Why, 
for  two  whole  days  there  has  been  nothing 
for  me  to  do  but  stand  and  listen,  and  if  I  took 
up  a  hammer  or  saw,  it  was  plain  that  I  gave 
offence,"  and  John  hoped  the  appeal  would 
end  the  conversation,  but  was  mistaken.  In 
the  quiet  of  colonial  days  events  did  not 
follow  in  such  quick  succession  that  in  two 
days  a  matter  like  this  would  be  forgotten. 

"  But  then  it  was  proper  that  I  should 
express " 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  know ;  but  really,  Neighbor 
Watson,  there  is  too  much  made  of  the 
matter,  and  if  Ruth  has  not  suffered  any  ill 
effects,  there  is  nothing  further  to  be  said." 
And  John  again  hoped  for  silence  in  the 
future. 

Matthew  Watson  could  not  understand 
John's  motive  in  baffling  his  efforts  to  talk 
the  matter  over,  and  John  did  not  suspect 
that  Matthew  had  more  to  say  than  merely  a 
formal  thanking  for  effective  assistance  at  a 
51 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

critical  time.  It  seemed  too  good  an  oppor- 
tunity to  let  his  views  be  known  concerning 
Ruth's  future  to  be  prevented  by  the  ready 
tongue  that  had  interrupted  him  so  success- 
fully. 

"What  thee  says,  John,  may  be  quite 
true,"  remarked  Matthew,  after  a  moment's 
pause  in  the  conversation,  "  but  I  had  another 
matter  on  which  I  had  a  concern  to  speak  to 
thee,  and  it  seems  more  fitting  to  do  so  now 
than  ever  before,  although  upon  my  mind 
and  a  concern,  too,  of  Ruth's  mother." 

What  can  he  have  upon  his  mind?  won- 
dered John,  as  he  carefully  laid  his  hammer 
upon  the  bench  and  faced  Matthew,  with  his 
arms  folded.  "  If  I  am  to  be  lectured,  why, 
here  I  am,  and  let's  get  through  with  it,"  he 
said,  lightly. 

"  Thee  knows,  John,  that  thy  mind  leads 
thee  to  Ruth,  for  it  is  common  report,  and 
Friends  have  remarked  how,  in  meeting,  thy 
eyes  continually  rest  upon  her." 

Matthew  evidently  expected  a  reply,  paus- 
ing as  he  did  for  so  long  a  time,  for  John 
simply  kept  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the  speaker. 
52 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  We  cannot  approve  of  it ;  she  is  but  a 
child  and  thee  has  yet  thy  way  to  make  in 
the  world.  It  will  be  years  yet  before  thou 
hast  acquired " 

**  Stop  !"  interrupted  John,  with  a  step  for- 
ward that  was  just  short  of  a  menace.  "  I 
do  not  know  what  the  common  report  is,  but 
I  would  like  to  know  who  started  it.  And 
my  eyes  rest  upon  Ruth,  do  they  *?  in  meeting. 
Well,  I  suppose  thee  means  upon  her  bonnet, 
for  it  covers  her  head  more  completely  than 
thy  hat  does  thine.  And  my  thoughts  are 
upon  her !  Did  thee  not  say  she  was  but  a 
child*?  If  I  mistake  not,  she  is  almost  out 
of  her  childhood,  and  thee  can  rest  assured 
that  her  own  thoughts  of  her  own  self  will 
be  entirely  respected  by  John  Bishop.  I  do 
not  know  what  thy  plans  for  the  future  may 
be  concerning  Ruth,  nor  is  it  my  business  at 
all,  but  if  ever  a  young  man  may  speak  to  an 
older  one  advisedly,  let  me  say,  at  this  time, 
that  thy  plans  will  come  to  nothing  unless 
they  accord  with  Ruth's.  And  now,  if  thee 
pleases,  I  will  return  to  my  work,  for  there  are 
neighbors  waiting  for  me."  And  saying  this, 

53 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

John  went  to  the  shop  door  and  called  his 
partner,  who  had  been  busy  out  of  doors  at 
John's  suggestion,  and  was  ail-impatiently 
waiting  to  be  recalled. 

The  interview  was  not  a  satisfactory  one. 
Matthew  Watson  saw  defiance  in  John's 
eyes,  if  he  could  not  discover  it  in  his  words, 
and  stood  gazing  intently  into  the  ashen  coals 
that  had  nearly  lost  their  ruddy  glow.  There 
was  so  much  he  would  like  to  say,  but  he 
felt  that  he  was  watched  by  a  determined 
man,  who  would  check  at  its  very  outset  any 
further  attempt  to  speak.  Matthew  Watson, 
one  of  the  community's  petty  tyrants,  and  a 
most  prominent  figure  in  meeting,  had  met 
his  match. 

"  William,"  remarked  John,  as  that  young 
man  entered  the  shop,  "had  we  not  better 
finish  Stacy's  cart-wheel  ?  He  may  call  for 
it  to-morrow." 

"  Yes,  John — Good-morning,  Friend  Wat- 
son. How  is  Ruth  to-day  *?  I  do  hope  she  is 
none  the  worse  for  her  terrible  fright."  And 
William  hovered  about  him  as  though  he 
were  the  king  and  he  an  expectant  subject. 

54 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

John  nearly  lost  his  temper,  and  after  some 
struggling  with  himself,  finally  said,  in  rather 
commanding  tones,  "  This  is  not  the  time  to 
give  to  such  matters ;  let  us  heat  the  irons 
and  fit  them  now."  And  William  Blake,  with 
an  imploring  look  towards  Matthew,  for  he 
longed  to  hear  something  of  Ruth  that  he 
might  repeat  to  any  callers  who  might  hap- 
pen in,  worked  vigorously  at  the  bellows  and 
sent  myriads  of  sparks  darting  up  the  chimney. 

Still,  Matthew  continued  to  gaze  intently  at 
the  fire,  unheeding  William  for  the  time,  and 
vainly  endeavoring  to  so  collect  his  thoughts 
that  he  might  at  least  fire  a  parting  shot  on 
retiring,  and  appear  not  to  be  the  defeated 
man  that  he  was.  It  would  be  something 
gained  to  have  the  truth  concealed  from 
William ;  but  Matthew  was  not  equal  to 
the  occasion.  All  he  could  say  was,  "  Yes, 
William,  Ruth  is  quite  well,  and  would  be 
pleased  to  see  thee.  The  Friends  have  all 
been  very  kind." 

William  was  about  to  follow  Matthew 
Watson  from  the  shop,  desirous  of  sending 
Ruth  some  pretty  message,  it  may  be,  but 
55 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

John  stopped  him  before  he  had  taken  a 
second  step.  "  Thy  place  is  here,  William ; 
and  if  thee  cannot  remain  at  thy  work  we 
must  close  this  partnership." 

"  Close  this  partnership !"  repeated  William, 
in  a  surprised  and  slightly  frightened  manner ; 
"  why,  John,  I  have  forty  pounds  to  thy  ten, 
and  surely  that  gives  me  the  advantage." 

John  smiled,  although  his  temper  was  yet 
aroused.  "  I  am  not  sure  what  thee  means 
by  an  advantage,  but  what  would  thy  forty 
pounds  be  without  I  looked  after  them  and 
thee  and  my  own  interests  *?  It  may  be  forty 
to  ten,  but  the  care  and  labor  is  all  on  my 
side,  and  I  will  gladly  buy  thee  out." 

"  But  what  would  I  do  ?"  asked  William, 
now  a  good  deal  worried,  for  he  saw  his  part- 
ner was  wholly  in  earnest  and  expected  a 
serious  reply.  "  Has  thee  the  ready  money  ?" 

"  Do  *?  why,  spend  thy  time  visiting  Ruth  ; 
or,  better  yet,  perhaps  Neighbor  Watson 
would  employ  thee  on  his  plantation,  and 
then  thee  could  see  her  every  day."  And 
John  threw  down  a  hammer  in  his  hand  and 
looked  out  the  little  window  near  the  forge. 
56 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Does  thee  really  think  that  Ruth  would 
look  with  favor  on  my  visits  and " 

"  William,  now  and  for  all  time  let  me 
say  that  I  must  not  hear  Ruth  discussed  in 
this  shop.  There  is  a  limit  to  my  patience 
if  none  to  others'  lack  of  judgment;  and 
isn't  it  very  unchristian  to  be  engaged  in  such 
idle  conversation,  and  unworthy  a  man  to  talk 
so  freely  of  other  people,  and  of  a  most 
worthy  young  woman  at  that  ?  Do  confine 
thyself  to  thy  work  and  to  what  we  spoke 
of.  I  will  gladly  buy  thy  interest,  for  I  feel 
that  we  can  thrive  better  if  more  widely 
planted." 

"I  did  not  know  thee  was  dissatisfied. 
Thee  has  said  nothing  like  this  until  now ; 
and  why,  as  I  have  been  taught  my  trade, 
should  I  not  buy  thee  out  ?"  asked  William, 
and  he  looked  very  uncomfortable  as  he 
spoke,  for  it  was  a  dangerous  question,  as  he 
had  learned  to  depend  upon  his  partner  when- 
ever serious  matters  arose,  and  feared  his  own 
judgment  upon  most  occasions. 

"  I  would  rather  buy  than  sell,"  replied 
John,  "  and  I  do  not  see  in  what  manner  it  is 

57 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

a  concern  of  others.  Thee  did  not  consult 
with  thy  friends  when  we  entered  upon  this 
venture,  and  why  take  thy  personal  affairs  to 
them  when  it  is  proposed  to  withdraw  from 
it  ?  Has  thee  no  judgment  of  thy  own  ?" 

"  But,  John,  we  are  prospering  now,  and  if 
we  remain  blessed,  why,  perhaps  Ruth " 

"  Hush !"  John  exclaimed,  fiercely ;  so 
fiercely,  indeed,  that  William  nearly  fell  over 
the  anvil,  he  was  so  startled.  It  was  a  fortu- 
nate fright,  so  far  as  John  was  concerned, 
for  William  said,  meekly,  "  If  thee  insists,  I 
suppose  I  must." 

"There  is  no  insistence  and  no  'must' 
about  it.  I  will  buy  thy  interest,  if  thee  will 
cheerfully  and  of  thy  own  accord  part  with 
it ;  but  if  thee  feels  forced  or  over-persuaded, 
then  I  will  not." 

"  But  if  thee  is  so  desirous  in  the  matter, 
what  better  can  I  do  *?"  asked  William,  with 
endless  trouble  pictured  in  his  countenance. 

"  That  is  for  thee  to  judge,"  replied  John. 

Before  another  word  was  spoken  a  shadow 
crossed  the  floor  of  the  shop  and  John,  look- 
ing up,  saw  the  outline  of  Matthew  Watson's 
58 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

head  and  shoulders  near  the  little  window, 
which  was  open.  Why  he  was  there  he 
could  not  tell.  There  was  no  apparent 
reason.  Had  he  been  listening  to  the  con- 
versation? He  was  about  to  call  through 
the  window,  then  checked  himself,  and  with 
nothing  further  being  said  about  the  dissolu- 
tion of  partnership,  John  and  William  worked 
steadily  upon  the  irons  of  Stacy's  cart-wheel. 


59 


Chapter  V. 
A  Worse  Fate  threatened. 

THE  women  of  the  Crosswicks  Valley  had 
little  to  entertain  them  beyond  the  affairs  of 
the  meeting  and  of  their  own  homes.  Visit- 
ing, in  anything  approaching  a  formal  way, 
was  not  common.  The  houses  generally 
were  far  apart  and  the  roads  and  by-paths 
too  rough,  in  many  places,  to  make  walking 
a  pleasure,  or  more  than  practicable  upon 
urgent  occasion.  Horses  could  not  always 
be  spared  that  women  might  ride.  The  long 
established  custom,  however,  of  attending 
meeting  on  First  and  Fifth  days  gave  excel- 
lent opportunity  for  gossipy  conversation, 
both  before  and  after  the  services  were  over, 
and  these  were  never  neglected.  How  much 
could  the  old  oak  in  the  Crosswicks  meeting- 
yard  tell  if  there  was  a  tongue  in  that  tree  ! 
Its  enormous  branches  overspreading  a  wide 
grass-plot  have  shaded  many  a  fair  damsel 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

and  gentle  swain  who  lingered  long  after 
their  prosy  parents  considered  time  enough 
had  elapsed  wherein  to  exchange  common- 
places. 

"Is  thee  not  keeping  Joseph  too  long*?" 
once  called  out  an  impatient  father,  as  his 
daughter  showed  no  disposition  to  bring  her 
conversation  to  a  close.  "  I  hope  thee  will 
never  think  that  of  me,"  she  whispered  to 
Joseph,  with  a  winsome  smile,  and  then  the 
demure  little  Quakeress  hurried  to  her  father's 
carriage  and  gravely  discussed  with  her 
mother  the  sermon  they  had  heard,  as  though 
she  were  the  head  of  a  family  instead  of  the 
youngest  child. 

While  youth  remained  there  was  always 
enough  worldliness  and  sweet,  harmless  de- 
ception to  hold  back  the  austerities  of  the 
elders.  No  positive  wickedness,  but  mis- 
chief and  an  assertion  of  the  natural  man 
that  no  follower  of  George  Fox  ever  es- 
caped, although  in  later  years  every  one 
strove  to  forget  it  and  cautioned  their  children 
against "  the  wiles  of  the  adversary."  Strange 
delusion,  that  of  such  intense  mortification 

61 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

of  the  flesh.  But  while  the  worthy  elders 
did  their  best  by  precept  and  example  to  rob 
the  young  of  many  of  life's  pleasures,  they 
could  not  make  existence  an  altogether 
colorless,  songless  pilgrimage.  Nature  was 
never  set  aside  by  a  sermon,  and  the  joys  of 
existence  denied  to  the  eye  and  ear  were 
compensated  for,  not  occasionally,  but  daily, 
by  these  same  elders  in  gluttonous  feasting, 
to  the  point  of  clogging  the  intellect ;  a  cus- 
tom coeval  with  the  rise  of  their  faith.  To 
be  sure,  Aunt  Lydia  Blaylock  said  even  more 
than  this,  but  what  led  to  her  being  turned 
out  of  meeting  was  the  remark,  "  The  cer- 
tainty of  a  good  dinner  nerves  them  to  the 
infliction  of  a  long  sermon." 

The  young  Friends  that  subscribed  to  their 
parents'  views  frequently  made  many  a  men- 
tal reservation,  resolving  to  question  more 
closely  for  themselves  when  of  maturer 
years;  but  when  these  came,  life  had  so 
many  added  responsibilities,  it  too  often  hap- 
pened that  an  indifferent  acquiescence  to  the 
forms  of  the  society  resulted.  But  there  was 

another  and  possibly  less  doleful  aspect  of 
62 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

this  stern  religion  among  the  young.  Often 
has  it  happened  that,  when  two  or  three  have 
chanced  together,  freedom  from  care  and 
from  the  restraint  of  a  parent's  presence  has 
moved  their  sober  steps  to  a  quicker  mo- 
tion ;  and  while  no  one  would  be  malicious 
enough  to  say  that  they  were  dancing,  it  was, 
in  sober  truth,  a  dangerously  near  approach 
thereto.  The  spirit  was  indeed  willing,  but 
their  fear  was  overpowering.  How  nearly 
we  may  approach  the  worldly  and  yet  be  safe 
has  been  the  tenor  of  many  a  long  discussion 
when  this  topic  was  ventured  upon ;  and 
how  can  a  ribbon  jeopardize  the  soul  been  a 
problem  that  by  night  and  day  has  vexed  the 
young  mind  to  a  degree  of  desperation  far 
more  destructive  of  spiritual  peace  than  a  bit 
of  color  to  relieve  the  monotony  of  an  ill- 
contrived,  uncomfortable  gown. 

All  this  in  its  various  phases  had  passed 
through  Ruth  Davenport's  mind,  and,  having 
the  blood  of  her  father's  people  in  her  veins, 
she  was  brave  enough  to  speak  her  thoughts 
and  to  express  dissatisfaction  with  an  evasive 
answer;  and  when,  after  a  long  night's  re- 
63 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

cuperative  rest,  she  felt  ready  to  meet  the 
world  on  its  own  terms,  it  was  with  no  spirit 
of  meekness  that  she  saw  the  long  array  of 
sedate  Friends  who  had  gathered  under  her 
mother's  roof  to  congratulate  them  both  and 
administer  to  their  spiritual  needs.  With 
some  show  of  grace  Ruth  took  the  well- 
meant  sermon  on  gratitude  for  life  saved,  and 
would  have  been  happy  had  this  one  woman 
who  first  spoke  been  the  spokeswoman  of  the 
company.  Not  so ;  each  old  woman  was 
confident  she  would  be  moved  to  speak,  and 
in  anticipation  of  the  opportunity  had  com- 
posed a  sermon ;  but  Ruth  had  no  patience 
left  when  the  third  worthy,  growing  dolo- 
rously poetical,  was  moved  to  say,  "  To  think 
our  young  friend  might  have  been  drowned, 

and  her  little  body  never  found " 

"  Mother,  mother  !"  she  exclaimed,  "  do 
make  the  Friends  go  away  or  I'll  go  mad !" 
And  she  rushed  from  the  room,  to  the  min- 
gled surprise,  consternation,  and  regret  of  those 
present.  It  was  some  moments  before  she 
would  consent  to  return,  and  when  she  did, 

her  defiant  looks  put  at  once  an  end  to  all 
64 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

attempts  at  further  preaching.  Things  took 
a  rather  more  cheerful  and  certainly  a  far 
more  practical  turn ;  for  not  an  old  woman 
among  them  but  was  sure  that  the  accident 
would  end  in  a  fever, — did  not  Ruth's  strange 
manner  plainly  point  that  way  ? — and  so  had 
brought  an  abundance  of  their  remedies. 
What  a  display  was  there  upon  the  kitchen 
table !  Every  herb  that  ever  grew  in  West 
Jersey  was  generously  represented;  and  if 
every  considerate  Friend  was  to  be  duly  con- 
sidered, there  was  no  escaping  a  watery  death 
after  all.  As  Ruth  said  to  her  mother,  when 
the  last  visitor  had  departed,  "  I  do  not  know 
but  I  had  rather  choke  in  Crosswicks  Creek 
than  be  drowned  in  a  deluge  of  herb  tea. 
The  taste  wouldn't  be  so  bad." 

Ruth's  mother  gently  laughed,  and  while 
the  smile  yet  played  upon  her  patient  mouth 
Matthew  Watson  entered  with  a  frown  and 
contracted  brows  that  showed  trouble  was 
brewing.  Ruth  noticed  it,  and  in  a  moment 
felt  that  she  was  the  cause  of  her  step-father's 
ill-humor,  if  such  it  proved  to  be. 

"  Just  see  here,  father,  what  the  neighbors 
5  65 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

have  brought  in,"  pointing  to  the  herbs  in 
bundles  lying  upon  the  table ;  "  if  thee  gets 
short  of  hay,  thee '11  know  where  to  come." 

"  I  would  prefer  to  find  thee  less  given  to 
levity  when  I  come  in.  The  Friends  have 
said  thee  has  been  quite  unmoved  by  their 
admonitions  and  prayers  and  so  given  of- 
fence that  reflects  upon  me.  I  am  sorry 
thee  is  not  led  to  be  inwardly  as  well  as  out- 
wardly a  Friend." 

"  What,  mother,,  is  thy  word  as  to  the 
meeting  forced  upon  us ;  had  I  not  cause  to 
break  up  what  even  thee  thought  an  unwise 
assembling*?"  asked  Ruth,  quite  indifferent 
to  what  her  step-father  had  said,  and  plainly 
showing  what  she  felt. 

"  Ruth,  I  did  not  say  so ;  the  Friends  were 
very  kind,"  replied  her  mother,  frightened 
lest  she  should  also  be  scolded  by  her  hus- 
band. 

"  I  know  thee  did  not  say  so,  but  that  was 
in  thy  thoughts,  and  thee  smiled  when  I 
talked  of  the  oceans  of  herb  tea."  And  then, 
after  saying  this  to  her  mother,  Ruth  turned 
about,  and  with  perfect  fearlessness  in  her 


66 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

eyes  and  abundant,  ill-concealed  scorn  in  her 
lips,  said,  in  a  very  different  voice,  "No, 
father,  I  am  not  a  Friend  in  the  sense  thee 
advocates,  and  never  can  be.  Thee  does  not 
remember  that  I  am  a  Davenport  and  not  a 
Watson,  and  among  them  only  my  father 
was  a  Friend,  and  not,  I  hope,  of  such  an  un- 
bending type  as  so  many  of  those  that  make 
up  the  Crosswicks  meeting." 

"  Ruth,  Ruth  !"  faintly  spoke  her  mother. 

"  Thee  is  an  unruly,  rebellious  child,  that 
brings  a  scandal  upon  us,"  remarked  Matthew 
Watson,  and  he  turned  to  leave  the  room. 

"Rebellious*?  Does  thee  not  recall  the 
fact  that  I  did  not  come  to  America  of  my 
own  accord?  Does  thee  not  know  that 
when  I  have  coaxed  mother  to  tell  me  of  my 
cousins  in  Yorkshire,  that  it  has  made  me 
long  to  go  to  them,  until  I  thought  that  that 
meant  leaving  mother,  and  then  I  was  content 
again ;  and  when  thee  took  mother  from  her 
home,  thee  knew  that  I  had  also  to  come,  or 
thy  words  would  have  prevailed  nothing ;  and 
when  since  then  have  I  been  a  source  of  dis- 
comfort to  thee  ?  It  is  as  easy  to  talk  with- 
67 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

out  forethought  at  home  as  at  meeting,  and 
thy  one  word  'rebellious'  is  as  little  called 
for  as  the  sermon  on  4  levity'  by  Friend  Lam- 
bert, who  has  so  frequently  to  be  counselled 
by  the  Friends  to  be  less  worldly  in  his  de- 
meanor. If  mother  is  willing,  and  the  way 
is  provided,  I  will  go  back  to  Yorkshire.  I 
hope  my  cousins  will  take  me  in." 

"  But  thee  does  not  know  that  they  would. 
The  way  to  a  passage  might  be  found."  And 
Matthew  put  his  hand  upon  the  door-latch. 

"  Matthew,  Ruth  shall  never  leave  me  will- 
ingly," her  mother  said,  in  a  tone  that  was 
startling  to  both  husband  and  daughter, — a 
tone  so  full  of  meaning  that  it  ended  the 
conversation. 


68 


Chapter  VI. 
A  Letter  from  England. 

THE  good  ship  "  Bristol,"  William  Smith, 
Commander,  that  had  made  many  voyages 
from  English  ports  to  Philadelphia,  sighted 
the  capes  and  slowly  worked  her  way  up  the 
broad  bay,  and  after  many  a  trying  hour,  held 
by  baffling  winds  and  perverse  currents,  she 
at  last  cast  anchor  in  front  of  the  thriving 
village  founded  by  Penn.  Her  voyage  of 
nearly  forty  days  had  been  uneventful,  and  it 
was  with  a  feeling  of  relief  that  the  passengers 
and  crew  again  found  themselves  on  shore. 
Those  who  were  new-comers  found  much  to 
attract  their  attention,  and  many  were  the  in- 
quiries made  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the 
friends  who  had  preceded  them  and  by  glow- 
ing accounts  of  the  wonderful  country  had 
induced  them  to  follow.  The  captain  had 
his  packet  of  letters  to  distribute,  some  to 

the  thrifty  merchants  of  the  little  town,  and 
69 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

others  to  be  sent  to  the  back-country  settle- 
ments. One  such  communication,  larger 
than  the  ordinary  folded  sheet,  and  impres- 
sively sealed  with  an  abundance  of  red  wax, 
bore  this  direction :  Matthew  Watson,  in 
Chesterfield,  Co.  Burlington,  Province  of 
West  New  Jarsie.  After  some  trouble  safe 
conveyance  was  found  for  this  official-look- 
ing document,  and  on  the  day  following 
the  arrival  of  the  "  Bristol"  a  stout  shallop 
spread  its  dingy  sail,  and  at  sunrise,  taking 
advantage  of  both  wind  and  tide,  started 
up  the  river,  bound  for  Crosswicks  Creek. 
The  outlook  then  was  favorable  for  a  quick 
trip,  but  before  noon  the  wind  had  died 
away,  and  when  the  tide  turned  there  was 
nothing  to  do  but  to  cast  anchor  and  wait. 

The  crew  of  four  men  were  not  troubled 
at  this  turn  of  affairs.  Their  business  was  to 
ply  between  the  two  points  mentioned,  and 
the  world  was  not  then  in  such  haste  that 
letters  or  merchandise  lost  significance  or 
value  if  received  a  day  or  a  week  later  than 
was  possible,  but  never  probable.  This  early 

November  day,  rich  with  a  golden  haze  that 
70 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

brought  all  beauty  better  into  view,  was  idly 
spent  on  board,  and  after  the  commonplaces 
of  wondering  when  they  could  proceed  had 
been  passed,  each  man  took  himself  unto 
himself  and  wondered  why  more  of  his  people 
did  not  flock  hither  to  this  land  of  endless 
promise.  The  captain  was  for  a  while  other- 
wise engaged.  After  looking  at  the  super- 
scriptions on  the  letters  he  had  had  placed  in 
his  charge  and  wondering  whether  they  con- 
tained good  news  or  ill,  he  took  a  small 
book  from  his  pocket,  and  summing  up  the 
probable  gains  of  the  year,  said  to  himself, 
"  If  the  season  ends  as  well  as  it  began,  I 
shall  have  enough  to  carry  out  my  plans  and 
will  make  a  change.  I  wonder  if  I  could 
sell  my  boat  to  any  one  in  Chesterfield.  I 
will  talk  to  John  Bishop  when  we  anchor  at 
the  ferry." 

The  ferry  was  not  reached  until  late  the 
next  day,  and  then,  when  the  boat  was  seen 
coming  slowly  up  the  creek,  many  of  those 
who  lived  near  came  down  to  the  landing, 
out  of  idle  curiosity,  or  for  such  goods  as 
they  were  expecting,  or  to  receive  possibly  a 
71 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

letter  from  "home,"  for  by  this  endearing 
term  nearly  every  one  still  spoke  of  England. 
Matthew  Watson  had,  among  the  first,  re- 
ceived his  well-sealed  letter,  which  he  carried 
exposed  to  the  gaze  of  the  by-standers,  with 
a  conscious  air,  until  he  reached  his  house. 

"  What  is  it  ?"  asked  his  wife,  as  he 
entered  the  room  where  she  was  sitting, 
facing  the  cheerful  fire  upon  the  hearth. 

"  A  letter." 

"  From  friends  in  Philadelphia  *?" 

"  From  England."'  And  then  adjusting  his 
full-moon  glasses,  scanning  every  seal,  scratch, 
and  pen-mark  upon  the  outside,  proceeded 
slowly  to  open  and  read  the  letter.  It  was 
a  long  communication,  and  before  he  had 
finished  reading  he  laid  it  down,  and,  remov- 
ing his  spectacles,  said,  "  Ruth." 

"Ruth  has  gone  to  Neighbor  Pearson's, 
dear ;  what  is  it  ?" 

"  I  wish  she  would  remain  more  with  her 
own  people  and  not  visit  Neighbor  Pearson 
so  frequently.  She  has  been  left  an  estate." 

"  Left  an  estate  !      Why,  Matthew,  what 

does  thee  mean  *?"  asked  his  wife,  rising  from 
72 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

her  chair  and  walking  to  where  her  husband 
was  standing  by  the  window. 

"  Her  uncle  Timothy  has  left  her  money 
and  personal  effects  of  value  provided  she 
shall  return  to  England  and  make  her  home 
with  her  father's  people.  If  she  declines,  the 
property  goes  to  her  cousins.  What  does 
thee  think ;  is  it  well  that  she  returns  *?" 

"  This  is  too  suddenly  placed  before  us  to 
speak  advisedly,  and  Ruth  must  be  consulted. 
It  is  her  future  that  is  concerned,  and  she  is 
old  enough  to  be  her  own  counsellor  in  such 
a  matter ;  but  the  thought  of  her  leaving 
me  is  very  grievous.  I  do  wish  she  would 
return."  And  Anne  Watson,  more  troubled 
than  she  wished  to  admit,  looked  earnestly 
over  the  fields  towards  the  ferry,  to  see  if  her 
daughter  was  coming.  There  was  then  no 
one  in  sight,  but  a  moment  later  there  came 
into  view  from  behind  the  rhododendron 
hedge  Ruth  and  John  Bishop,  in  earnest 
conversation. 

"  She  is  coming  now  !"  exclaimed  one  of 
the  boys ;  and  opening  the  door,  he  called, 
"Sister  Ruth,  there's  a  letter  for  you  from 
73 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

England  with  lots  of  money  in  it,  and  you've 
got  to  go  'way  to  get  it  and — "  But  the  boy's 
father  checked  the  child's  startling  announce- 
ment by  a  sudden  pull  at  his  collar  that  sent 
him  trotting  backward  across  the  kitchen 
floor. 

"  What  does  brother  mean  *?"  Ruth  asked, 
with  a  thoroughly  puzzled  look  upon  her 
flushed  face,  for  her  conversation  with  John 
Bishop  had  evidently  been  of  an  exciting 
character. 

"There  is  a  letter  from  England  that  is 
of  much  moment,  particularly  to  thyself,  and 
we  will  consider  its  contents  at  the  proper 
time,"  replied  her  step-father,  with  a  glance  at 
John  Bishop,  which  was  not  lost  upon  him 
or  upon  Ruth. 

"  Farewell,  Ruth,"  John  remarked,  scarcely 
noticing  the  others  who  had  gathered  about 
her,  and  was  about  to  turn  away  when  Ruth 
said, — 

"  Stay,  John ;  mother  may  wish  to  say 
how  grateful  she  feels,  and  this  is  thy  first 
visit  since  that  unlucky  day." 

There  was  a  play  upon  John's  features 
74 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

that  strongly  suggested  the  idea  he  considered 
it  quite  the  opposite,  as  he  again  faced  the 
whole  Watson  family  on  their  porch,  and 
shook  hands  with  Ruth's  mother,  who  had 
come  forward  and  said,  "  Truly,  John,  I  do 
not  know  how  to  thank  thee ;  thee  must 
read  my  heart." 

"  Heart-reading  is  often  a  difficult  task," 
John  replied,  and  his  eyes  wandered  towards 
Ruth,  who  was  anxious  that  the  interview 
should  end,  for  she  was  very  curious  to  know 
how  that  letter  from  England  concerned  her. 
Holding  out  her  hand  with  an  air  that  made 
her  step-father  frown  and  stare,  she  said, 
"  Good-by,  John ;  I  am  obliged  to  thee  for 
seeing  me  across  the  ferry."  And  he,  taking 
the  hint,  bade  the  assembled  family  farewell 
and  turned  towards  his  shop. 

"  Is  it  possible  thee  requires  John's  assist- 
ance to  cross  the  ferry,  Ruth  *?  Could  thee 
not  take  one  of  the  boys  with  thee,  if  thee 
must  go  so  frequently  to  Robert  Pearson's  *?" 
asked  Matthew,  with  a  tone  that  had  more 
suggestiveness  than  the  mere  words. 

"  John  offered  to  come,  seeing  I  was  alone, 
75 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

as  I  passed  the  shop,  and  said  he  wished  to 
speak  with  me.  Besides,  I  had  not  seen  him 
since  the  other  day,  and  I  had  something  to 
say  to  him ;  and  why,"  Ruth's  voice  ringing 
with  a  trace  of  anger  that  meant  defiance,  as 
Matthew  well  knew,  "  should  I  not  go  to 
Neighbor  Pearson's?  Is  not  Robert  cousin 
or  something  of  mother's?  When  they 
seem  not  to  want  me  I  will  stay  away." 

"Ruth,  Ruth,"  gently  spoke  her  mother, 
"  thee  forgets." 

"  No,  mother,  I  fprget  nothing ;  it's  a  pity 
I  didn't ;  but  what  is  this  wonderful  letter  all 
about?  Was  it  sent  to  me,  or  mother,  or 
who  ?"  And  Ruth  showed  by  her  rapid  speak- 
ing that  she  was,  if  not  quite  a  woman  grown, 
so  near  it  that  she  recognized  the  difference 
between  it  and  childhood.  Then  kissing  her 
mother,  she  said  again,  "  Do  tell  me  about 
this  letter." 

"  If  thee  will  compose  thyself,  Ruth,"  her 
step-father  replied,  "  I  will  tell  thee  about  it. 
It  is  from  Revell  Stacy,  and  he  is  authorized 
to  inform  thee,  as  he  does  through  me,  that 

thy  uncle  Timothy  Davenport  has  left  thee 
76 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

property  sufficient  for  thy  maintenance,  if 
thee  returns  to  England,  but  it  goes  to  thy 
cousins  if  thee  declines  to  accept  the  con- 
ditions. What  does  thee  think  *?" 

"Think?"  said  Ruth,  "think  about  it?" 
And  while  speaking  she  walked  from  front  of 
the  fire  to  the  middle  of  the  room,  and  stand- 
ing on  tiptoe,  first  on  one  foot  and  then  on  the 
other,  as  if  about  to  begin  a  dance  for  their 
amusement,  and  then  actually  sang  in  her 
parent's  presence,  keeping  time  with  her 

body, — 

"  Money,  money, 
Bread  and  honey, 

Dresses  new  and  dresses  gay; 
Lovers  many, 
Cares  not  any — " 

then  stopping  as  suddenly  as  she  began, 
dropped  on  her  knees  at  her  mother's  feet 
and,  looking  the  astonished  woman  directly 
in  the  face,  added, — 

"  Mother,  must  I  go  away  ?" 

"  I  am  astonished !"  exclaimed  Matthew 
Watson,  "  singing  and  dancing  in  my  house. 
Anne,  is  thy  daughter  ill  ?" 

77 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"No,  father,"  exclaimed  Ruth,  standing 
up  before  him  and  giving  him  one  of  those 
steady,  fearless  looks  that  made  him  lose  con- 
fidence in  himself, — "  no,  I  am  not  ill,  but  I 
have  had  too  much  to  happen  in  one  day 
perhaps.  This  is  indeed  sudden ;  but  as  to 
leaving  mother,  no,  not  for  any  fortune  in 
England  or  all  the  fortunes  in  all  England, 
and  thee  can  send  word  to  Revell  Stacy  as 
soon  as  thee  chooses." 

"Do  not  be  rash,  dear,"  Ruth's  mother 
almost  whispered ;  "'thee  must  think  it  over." 

"Very  well,  then,  I'll  think  it  over  and 
ask  Cousin  Robert  what  he  thinks,"  said 
Ruth,  quietly. 

Her  suggestion  to  refer  it  to  Robert  Pear- 
son made  her  step-father  look  very  black,  and 
he  closed  the  lid  of  his  desk  with  a  startling 
slam. 


Chapter  VII. 
The  Sale  of  the  Shallop. 

WINTER  was  fast  approaching,  but  while 
the  dreamy  days  of  the  Indian  summer  had 
come  and  gone,  there  was  still  a  pleasant 
warmth  at  noon-tide,  and  wherever  the  sun- 
shine found  entrance  among  the  old  trees 
along  the  creek's  north  shore,  one  had  little 
thought,  while  wandering  there,  of  the  deep 
and  dreary  snows  that  would  so  soon  cover 
every  winsome  feature  of  the  valley.  Making 
some  flimsy  excuse,  the  shallowness  of  which 
was  still  too  deep  for  his  partner  to  fathom, 
John  Bishop  laid  down  his  tools  a  little  before 
noon,  and  saying  he  might  not  be  back  quite 
as  promptly  as  usual,  passed  out  of  the  shop. 
Instead  of  going  towards  his  home,  he  walked 
in  the  opposite  direction,  and  as  he  passed  a 
neighbor's  cottage,  whistled  to  the  dog,  that 
was  only  too  glad  to  follow.  There  was 
much  passing  in  John's  mind,  as  his  counte- 

79 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

nance  plainly  showed,  and  while  he  felt  he 
must  have  some  one  to  talk  to,  there  was  but 
one  to  whom  he  could  talk,  and  she  was  not 
accessible ;  so  he  whistled  for  the  dog,  and 
petted  him  extravagantly  when  he  came 
bounding  up  to  him.  Man  and  dog  made 
there,  as  they  stood  beneath  the  almost  leaf- 
less trees,  a  pretty  picture.  John's  brown  hair, 
dark  skin,  and  keen  gray  eyes,  that  flashed  at 
times  beneath  the  straight  brows  that  shaded 
them,  were  now  lighted  by  the  mellow  light 
of  a  late  November'day,  one  of  those  dreamy 
days  when  a  man  of  brains  will  indulge  in  a 
contemplative  stroll  and  be  the  better  for  it. 
There  is  a  hazy,  perhaps  even  an  indistinct  out- 
look, but  the  light  is  the  better  for  this  when 
we  want  to  conjure  up  pictures  and  people  and 
recall  loved  scenes  that  linger  in  the  memory ; 
and  John,  to-day,  was  in  a  retrospective  mood. 
He  desired  to  liv'c  over  again  some  recent 
events  and  to  talk  about  them,  but  not  to 
the  trees  or  the  uncertain  birds  or  to  himself. 
His  neighbor's  dog  would  answer  by  the 
gleam  of  intelligence  in  its  nutty  brown  eyes, 

and  then  John  could  frame  such  replies  as 

80 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

he  knew,  or  hoped,  she  would  make.  What 
a  strange  compound  is  a  man  in  love  !  He 
has  figured  in  books  for  many  a  century,  but 
who  has  depicted  him  as  he  really  is  ?  John 
was  no  less  himself  because  of  a  new  feeling ; 
other  traits  were  not  forced  to  the  background 
to  make  room  for  this  new-comer ;  but  could 
not  all  the  world  see  that  all  else  had  to  stand 
aside,  just  a  little1?  Even  he  thought  this 
might  be  true,  and  he  would  that  the  world 
were  blind.  He  was  only  sure  of  his  own 
feelings,  and  in  that  blessed  state  of  hopeful- 
ness as  to  Ruth  that  enabled  him  to  think 
whatsoever  best  pleased  him  at  the  moment ; 
but  he  also  knew  the  storm  that  would  break 
over  his  head  if  Matthew  Watson  knew 
positively  he  was  seriously  inclined.  "  What 
will  come  of  all  this,  doggie  *?  Come,  now : 
two  pats  of  your  tail  on  the  dead  leaves  for 
*  good'  and  three  for  '  no  good ;' "  but  the 
dog  stood  up  when  spoken  to,  and  wagged 
his  tail  so  rapidly,  John  could  not  count. 
"  Well,  what  does  that  mean  ?  Is  everybody 
opposed  to  me,  and  this  means  brushing  me 
away.  Come,  doggie,  speak  out."  And  the 

6  81 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

dog,  moved  by  John's  earnestness,  gave  a  low, 
quick  bark.  "  That  is  as  much  like  '  yes'  as 
4  no,'  so  I'll  have  to  hunt  up  some  witch  of 
the  woods  to  tell  me  my  fortune.  Come 
along !"  And  with  the  dog  running  ahead 
and  sniffing  at  every  tree  where  a  squirrel  or 
opossum  might  be  hiding,  John  walked  on 
and  on,  following  the  winding  bluff  that 
overlooked  the  meadows  and  creek  until  he 
came  to  the  three  big  beeches  where  the  sin- 
gle Indian  family  of  ,the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood, an  old  basket-maker  and  his  squaw, 
had  their  wigwam.  There  was  no  one  about, 
and  John  sat  at  the  foot  of  the  largest  of 
the  three  great  trees,  and  looked  out  over  the 
meadows  and  beyond  them  to  the  river.  A 
boat  with  hoisted  sail  was  just  entering  the 
creek,  and  another,  heading  for  Philadelphia, 
was  also  well  in  view.  "  How  this  wilderness 
is  changing !"  remarked  John  to  himself,  as 
he  looked  about.  "  Every  month  brings  new- 
comers, and  they  do  not  all  remain  in  the 
settlements,  but  keep  pushing  farther  and 
farther  out  into  the  back  country.  There  is 

every  reason  to  be  hopeful ;  and  what  if  I 
82 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

have  so  little  I  can  call  my  own,  have  I  not 
strength  enough  in  these  arms  to  earn  more 
than  my  own  living?  They  were  strong 
enough  on  one  occasion,  and  I  think  have 
been  stronger.  Come,  doggie,  old  fellow, 
it's  time  we  were  going,  or  William  will  be 
sounding  an  alarm,  thinking  I  am  lost."  And 
John  Bishop  laughed  in  a  cheery  way  as  he 
retraced  his  steps  ;  and  far  sooner  than  he  had 
made  the  journey  from  his  shop  to  the  three 
beeches  he  was  back,  and  never  knew  that 
he  had  missed  his  dinner  and  kept  the  folks 
waiting  and  wondering. 

"  They  have  been  asking  after  thee,  John," 
William  announced  as  soon  as  he  entered 
the  shop ;  "  thee  has  not  been  to  thy 
dinner." 

"  Oh,  I  nibbled  a  beech-nut  and  tried  to 
solve  a  problem  and — didn't,"  replied  John, 
cheerfully.  "  But  who  has  been  here  ?  Thee 
seems  to  have  had  company,  from  the  placing 
of  these  broken  chairs,  which  were  hardly  safe 
to  offer  heavy  guests." 

"  Martin  Nutt  and  Matthew  Watson  have 
been  here.  Martin  called  to  see  thee  about 
83 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

his  boat, — the  one  that  plies  between  here 
and  Philadelphia.  He  wishes  to  sell  it,  and 
Neighbor  Watson  has  considered  the  matter 
and  offers  to  join  me  in  its  purchase,  and  so, 
if  thee  still  chooses,  I  will  sell  my  interest  in 
this  venture.  Thee  can  readily  find  a  partner 
or  helper,  I  think.  But,  John,  has  thee  the 
money  to  buy  my  share  *?" 

"  If  I  had  not,"  John  replied,  with  a  trace 
of  anger  in  his  tone  and  a  contraction  of  the 
brows  full  of  meaning, — "  if  I  had  not,  I 
should  not  have  made  the  suggestion.  But 
why  should  I  not  buy  Martin's  boat,  and  let 
thee  keep  the  shop  *?  I  can  sail  a  boat,  and 
thee  cannot,  and  it  was  Martin's  errand  to  see 
me,  I  think  thee  said." 

"  It  was ;  but  he  happened  to  speak  of  the 
matter  to  Neighbor  Watson,  and  he  thought 
I  had  better  buy  it ;  and  then  thee  knows  I 
have  forty — " 

"  Forty  fiddle-sticks !  William,  I  sometimes 
think  thee  is  almost  a  dunce,  and  I'm  so  tired 
of  hearing  of  thy  forty  pounds  that  I  have 
wanted  to  have  the  shop  here  all  to  myself. 

Do  follow  Neighbor  Watson's  advice  and 
84 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

buy  the  boat,  and  have  Matthew  join  thee. 
But  why  does  Martin  Nutt  wish  to  sell  *?" 

"  He  is  going  to  Philadelphia  to  open  a 
ship  chandlery  and  not  follow  the  water  any 
longer.  He  thinks  he  has  earned  the  right  to 
be  a  merchant  and  have  an  office,  so  he  said, 
and  Neighbor  Watson  agreed ;  and,  John, 
when  can  thee  pay  me  for  my  share  in  this 
venture  *?" 

"Just  as  soon  as  we  can  get  William 
Emley  to  draw  up  the  necessary  paper  and 
thee  signs  it  the  money  will  be  in  thy 
hands,"  John  replied,  with  a  glow  of  amuse- 
ment that  lit  his  whole  countenance  and 
showed  what  a  handsome  man  he  was. 

"  But  I  did  not  know,"  remarked  his  part- 
ner, astonished  at  John's  promptness  in  the 
matter,  and  not  a  little  distrustful  of  the 
course  he  was  pursuing, — "  I  did  not  know 
that  thee  had  so  much  in  hand ;  thy  capital, 
I  thought — " 

"  Was  the  ten  pounds  I  put  with  thy  forty. 

Well,  William,   I  am  not  supposed  to  be 

responsible  for  thy  way  of  thinking.     Does 

thee  not  remember  that  when  we  started  in 

85 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

business  here  that  thee  wondered  where  I  got 
the  ten,  and  supposed  that  I  borrowed  them 
from  Robert  Pearson?  And  what  of  the 
profits  of  the  venture  since  that  day"?  Does 
thee  suppose  I  spend  a  penny  every  time  I 
make  one  ?  Perhaps  thee  does ;  but  I  don't 
see  how  it  is  to  be  done,  with  no  shops  nearer 
than  Burlington.  But  thy  question  calls  for 
an  answer,  perhaps.  There  is  a  little  oaken 
box  with  iron  clasps  and  a  lock  somewhere, 
and  there's  forty  pounds  and  to  spare  in  it, 
good,  honest,  silver  money  that  won't  burn 
thy  palms  when  it  touches  them." 

"  I  am  really  sorry  to  leave  thee,"  remarked 
William,  with  a  vain  effort  to  think  over 
satisfactorily  what  John  had  just  told  him ; 
"  but  tell  me  why,  if  thee  had  the  money, 
thy  share  and  mine  of  the  venture,  when  we 
started  here,  were  not  the  same.  I  thought 
thee  had  but  ten  pounds." 

"  Thee  thought  so,  but  I  did  not  tell  thee 
so.  I  only  agreed  to  put  in  ten  pounds  against 
thy  forty,  for  I  thought  my  knowledge  of  the 
trade  and  skill  in  work  of  certain  kinds  was 
worth  the  difference,  and  so  did  thy  friend, 

86 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

Neighbor  Watson,  if  thee  will  but  remem- 
ber." 

"  It  must  be  all  proper,  I  do  not  doubt,  but 
forty  pounds — " 

"  Well,  William,  thee  has  now  a  chance  to 
receive  back  thy  money,  and  what  has  been 
thy  share  of  the  profits  of  the  venture  has 
proved  an  excellent  interest.  But  thy  capital 
as  now  invested  is  worth  something  more 
than  the  original  sum  now,  and  I  will  make 
a  proper  agreement  with  thee  when  we  meet 
at  William  Emley's,"  John  replied,  assuringly, 
and  his  timid  partner  felt  much  more  as  if 
every  penny  due  him  was  to  be  really  paid 
back,  but  a  flood  of  conflicting  impressions 
so  confused  the  poor  fellow  he  could  find 
nothing  to  say.  He  had  been  in  safe  hands 
while  with  John,  and  to  some  extent  knew 
his  business,  but  what  of  this  new  venture 
with  all  the  glittering  generalities  that  Mat- 
thew Watson  hung  about  it?  He  could 
not  feel  so  sure.  William's  brain  was  of  one- 
idea  capacity,  and  now  he  was  forced  to  battle 
with  a  dozen ;  no  wonder  he  was  miserably 
bewildered. 

87 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

After  a  lengthy  pause,  painful  alike  to  both 
men,  John  remarked,  "  The  season  will  soon 
be  over  for  thy  new  trade,  what  has  thee  in 
mind  to  do  while  the  river  is  closed  ?" 

44 1  had  not  thought  of  that,  and  Neighbor 
Watson  did  not  mention  the  matter  when  he 
and  Martin  were  here,"  replied  William ;  and 
he  looked  greatly  distressed,  and  his  fears  of 
a  long  unoccupied  winter  were  not  allayed 
when  John,  with  a  slightly  malicious  gleam 
in  his  eyes,  suggested  that  perhaps  he  "  could 
board  for  the  dull  season  with  his  new  part- 
ner." 

The  poor  man  was  more  worried  than  ever. 
To  lose  forty  pounds  of  flesh  would  have 
given  him  no  particular  concern,  but  to  risk, 
as  he  might  be  doing,  as  many  pounds  ster- 
ling ;  that  was  terrible. 

"As  thee  has  never  consulted  with  me 
about  thy  affairs,  William,  it  is  not  my  prov- 
ince to  be  thy  adviser  now ;  but  I  never  knew 
thee  was  accustomed  to  sail  a  boat,  even  small 
river  craft,  and  the  winds  on  the  river  are  some- 
times full  of  danger,  as  we  have  cause  to 
know ;  and  has  thee  had  any  teaching  in  the 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

matter  of  general  trading  ?  Thee  was  appren- 
ticed a  smith,  and  can  do  some  things  in  thy 
line  very  well,  and  I  hope  to  see  thee  success- 
fully sail  the  boat  that  Martin  Nutt  wishes  to 
sell.  Thee  knows,  of  course,  that  Neighbor 
Watson  cannot  help  thee  in  these  matters ; 
thee  must  do  all  the  work." 

"  But  I  never  even  tried  to  sail  a  boat ;  we 
must  have  that  done  by  some  one  who  knows 
how,"  replied  William,  becoming  more  and 
more  thoroughly  frightened  at  the  disaster  he 
fancied,  with  some  reason,  threatening  him. 

"  Then  what  will  thee  do  *?  Sit  on  the 
wharf  at  Philadelphia,  while  Matthew  waits 
at  the  ferry  *?"  And  John  laughed  heartily  at 
the  picture  he  drew. 

"  Thy  remarks  are  unkind,  John.  Friend 
Watson  would  not  mislead  me,"  said  William, 
much  depressed  by  his  partner's  chaffing. 

"  I  would  not  have  thee  think  that  I 
thought  so,"  replied  John ;  "  but  really  it  is 
thy  affair,  not  mine,  and  first  let  us  attend  to 
our  joint  concern.  We  will  send  word  to 
William  Emley  to-morrow  and  settle  this 
matter  of  ending  our  partnership.  Then  thee 
89 


can  have  the  ready  money,  so  far  as  it  will 
go,  to  buy  the  boat." 

"  I  will  go  myself  to  Friend  Emley's  and 
make  an  appointment,"  said  William,  "  as  I 
cannot  lift  a  hammer  or  move  the  bellows 
now  after  so  much  that  has  worked  upon 
me."  And  he  took  up  his  hat  and  coat  and 
went  out. 

"  Poor  William,"  remarked  John  to  him- 
self; "  but  really  it  is  better  that  I  should  be 
alone." 


Chapter  VIII. 
The  New  Partnership. 

THE  winter  that  seemed  so  distant  to  Wil- 
liam Blake,  when  the  bargain  was  closed  and 
he  and  Matthew  Watson  were  the  vessel's 
owners,  had  set  in  earlier  than  usual.  The 
river  was  filled  with  floating  ice,  and  it  was 
no  longer  safe  to  trust  so  small  a  boat  as  the 
"Fish-hawk"  to  the  huge  masses  that, borne  by 
the  currents,  would  soon  wear  away  her  sides 
if  exposed  to  them.  The  boat  must  be  put 
in  winter  quarters,  be  safely  harbored  in  some 
little  cove  on  the  south  bank  of  the  creek ; 
of  course,  within  sight  of  the  Watson  house. 
As  his  late  partner  predicted,  William  Blake 
was  also  in  winter  quarters,  with  but  a  single 
occupation,  that  of  paying  his  board  weekly, 
and  very  deep  in  despair,  too,  because  with 
no  means  of  earning  the  requisite  number 
of  shillings.  Perhaps  he  did  not  mean  it  as 
unkind,  but  Matthew  Watson  had  assured 
91 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

him  that  the  venture  was  an  excellent  one ; 
his  share  of  the  profits  would  certainly  enable 
him  to  pay  his  board  every  winter,  and  that 
would  be  a  source  of  anxiety  removed,  for 
which  he  should  be  thankful. 

"Why  did  thee  let  me  buy  the  boat*?" 
William  often  asked  of  John,  for  during  the 
long  winter  days  he  found  the  shop  a  more 
pleasant  place  to  spend  his  idle  time  than  at 
Neighbor  Watson's,  where  business  continu- 
ally called  him,  as  his  partner  was  full  of 
projects  that  forever  called  for  more  of  Wil- 
liam's money  as  an  offset  to  the  "advantages" 
Matthew  cunningly  set  forth.  "  I  believe 
thee  could  have  taken  better  care  of  my 
property  than  I  have  done,  and  thee  never 
even  advised  me,"  William  often  said  when 
they  were  alone. 

"  Thee  never  asked  my  advice,  and  I  surely 
could  not  be  expected  to  intrude  it  upon 
thee,"  John  would  reply ;  and  then  the  poor 
man,  who  believed  himself  to  have  been  vic- 
timized, would  express  his  fears  of  his  part- 
ner's designs,  and  to  all  this  was  added  a 

sorrow  of  no  mean  measure,  that  Ruth  would 
92 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

not  favor  him  with  even  the  briefest  conversa- 
tion when  they  happened  to  meet.  He  had 
made  a  great  blunder,  and  would  he,  John, 
take  him  back,  if  he  could  prevail  upon  his 
present  partner  to  buy  his  share  of  the  boat 
and  so  set  him  free  ? 

John  would  not  promise,  and  endeavored 
to  allay  his  fears,  talking  extravagantly  of  the 
increased  trade  of  the  coming  season,  and 
how  two  boats  would  be  needed  instead  of 
one.  On  all  subjects  John  spoke  freely,  but 
always  without  the  slightest  reference  to  Ruth. 
William  Blake  noticed  this  in  time,  and  began 
talking  so  freely  about  her  that  John  could 
no  longer  escape  making  a  reply.  He  en- 
deavored first  to  put  a  check  upon  William's 
volubility,  but  this  was  ineffectual.  There 
was,  however,  one  consolation,  she  was  never 
referred  to  when  others  were  present.  Day 
after  day  passed,  and  finally  William  more 
earnestly  than  ever  sought  John's  opinion. 
"  Thee  is  well  acquainted  with  Ruth,  John, 
and  can  tell  me,  if  thee  will,  why  it  is  she 
turns  from  me  so.  I  have  always  treated  her 
well,  and  yet  she  seems  very  unwilling  to 

93 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

listen  to  me."  John  would  bite  his  under  lip 
and  look  out  of  the  shop  window,  and  when 
his  companion  had  done  speaking,  force  him- 
self to  smile  and  bid  the  poor  fool  remember 
about  faint  hearts  and  fair  ladies.  This  was, 
of  course,  wholly  unsatisfactory,  indeed  in- 
comprehensible to  him,  and  he  would  seek 
for  something  more  definite,  as  though  John 
was  the  ruler  of  Ruth's  destinies. 

"  Neighbor  Watson  approves  of  my  suit, 
I  think,"  William  had  recently  remarked,  in 
the  course  of  a  long  account  of  his  troubles, 
and  at  this  assertion  John  had  exclaimed,  Oh  ! 
so  suddenly  that  William  was  startled  and 
would  have  asked  endless  questions,  but  his 
one  time  partner  positively  refused  to  continue 
the  conversation,  and  forbade  the  subject  being 
again  broached  in  such  a  manner  that  even 
William  could  understand,  and  was  hence- 
forth silent  on  that  point. 

John  Bishop  from  that  morning  worked 
more  steadily  than  before.  Never  for  a 
moment  did  his  tools  lie  unused  upon  the 
bench  or  the  fire  get  low.  He  had  hundreds 
of  nails  and  spikes  to  make,  for  there  were 

94 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

two  houses  to  be  built  in  the  coming  season, 
and,  too,  for  one  of  them  he  was  to  furnish 
the  crane  for  the  kitchen  fireplace,  and  not  a 
farmer  for  miles  around  but  had  ploughs  to 
be  repaired,  and  many  a  farmer's  wife  had 
sought  his  skill  in  fashioning  some  simple 
piece  of  furniture.  From  morning  till  night 
he  was  busy,  and  bargained  with  two  good 
workmen,  who  were  now  as  steadily  occupied 
as  himself.  Everywhere  was  evidence  of  un- 
usual thrift.  William,  or  any  other  idler,  if 
he  came,  soon  found  himself  in  the  way,  and 
left  wondering  what  had  changed  John  so. 
The  fact  is  his  work  had  gotten  ahead  of  him, 
but  now  he  was  far  ahead  of  his  work.  There 
were  no  delays  now,  no  broken  promises,  and 
in  all  the  dust  and  smoke  John  saw  Ruth  as 
we  often  see  a  bright  streak  of  rosy  light 
piercing  a  storm-cloud,  and  the  ring  of  the 
hammer  on  the  anvil,  which  meant  but  thrift 
to  casual  ears,  was  the  cheery  voice  of  Ruth,  as, 
wandering  by  the  hedge  or  strolling  over  the 
fields  for  wild  flowers,  she  sang  those  simple 
songs  that  once  heard  he  could  not  forget  and 
often  found  himself  humming  when  alone. 
95 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

After  all,  it  was  not  strange  that  observing 
people  should  continually  associate  John  and 
Ruth  in  their  minds,  although  so  very  seldom 
were  they  seen  together.  An  aged  Friend 
that  day  had  expressed  surprise  when  she 
overheard  John  humming  a  lively  air  to  him- 
self. "  John,  I  am  shocked  at  thy  increasing 
worldliness.  Has  thee  no  greater  concern 
than  spending  thy  time  with  idle  music  and 
the  world's  follies'?" 

"Did  not  David  play  upon  a  harp  and 
sing  psalms  *?  There  was  and  is  nothing  par- 
ticularly worldly  about  my  thoughts  at  this 
time.  I  was  thinking  of  a  friend  and  felt 
particularly  happy,  and  silence  does  not  suit 
my  heart,  which  at  times  must  speak  out,  in 
what  thee  called  music,  but  which  I  take  it 
was  hardly  that." 

"  When  concerned  with  the  weighty  words 
of  Friends  who  have  ministered  unto  us, 
would  not  silence  be  more  fitting*?" 

John  laughed  merrily,  to  the  questioner's 
astonishment.  He  was  not  thinking  of  a 
Friend  of  that  sort.  "I  confess,  Neighbor 

Bunting,  that  I  was  thinking  of  one  among 
96 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

us  that  I  have  not  seen  very  lately,  but  she  is 
not  a  minister." 

"  Not  Ruth  Davenport,  John !" 

"  Yes,  of  Ruth." 

"  John,  let  me  assure  thee  that  thee  is 
greatly  on  my  mind.  Ruth  is  a  sore  trial  to 
her  parents,  as  thee  must  know,  and  I  am  sad 
to  think  of  her  unless  she  turns  from  her 
worldly  ways.  Thee  is  not  as  constant  at 
meeting  as  we  wish,  and  it  has  been  long 
upon  my  mind  to  speak  to  thee.  Does  Ruth 
prevent  thy  coming." 

John  Bishop  came  very  near  getting  angry, 
but  Friend  Bunting  was  very  aged,  and  he 
could  only  submit  to  her  questioning  with 
apparent  excellent  grace.  Of  course  it  was 
her  right,  as  an  elder,  to  call  his  attention  to 
matters  concerning  the  meeting  and  his  rela- 
tion thereto,  but  at  the  same  time  he  did  wish 
she  was  a  man,  that  he  might  speak  what 
he  really  thought.  Was  it  to  be  his  lot 
to  preach  a  new  phase  of  Christianity*?  he 
sometimes  asked  himself.  Well,  with  Ruth 
for  a  helpmeet  it  would  not  be  so  great  a 
hardship  as  to  be  forever  under  the  fire  of 

7  97 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

criticising  neighbors,  who  sometimes  over- 
stepped the  mark  and  encroached  upon 
private  concerns.  He  was  getting  pretty 
tired  of  the  whole  matter. 

"No,"  he  replied,  a  little  curtly,  "not 
Ruth,  but  my  shop.  I  cannot  keep  my 
customers  waiting,  and  must  often  be  absent 
on  Fifth  days." 

"  No  occupation  would  require  thy  absence 
from  appointed  meetings  unless  thee  gave 
heed  to  worldly  inclination."  And  with  this 
parting  admonition,  John  was  left  to  his  own 
reflections. 

As  he  walked  to  his  shop,  a  gorgeous 
red-bird  crossed  his  path  and  whistled  merrily 
when  perched  in  a  cedar  hard  by.  "  What 
a  gay  worldling,  and  whistling  too !"  ex- 
claimed John.  "  How  I  wish  Ruth  could 
see  and  hear  this  bird  !"  And  he  looked  in 
the  direction  of  her  home,  wondering  what 
she  might  then  be  doing.  Friend  Bunting 
had  made  no  very  deep  impression. 

While  John  had  been  thus  engaged, 
William  Blake  was  on  the  other  side  of  the 

creek,  and  had  been  engaged  in  two  very  mo- 
98 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

mentous  conversations.  An  unusual  amount 
of  bravery  had  found  a  lodgement  in  his 
breast,  and,  believing  his  investment  was,  if 
not  in  doubt,  in  a  bewildering  entanglement 
of  claims  that  his  partner  had  woven  about 
it,  he  had  actually  demanded  in  plain 
terms  why  it  was  that  he,  William  Blake, 
was  paying  for  everything  and  yet  nothing 
appeared  to  be  his.  It  was  the  most  impor- 
tant mental  problem  he  had  ever  formulated, 
and  his  own  words  staggered  him  as  he  pro- 
nounced them,  one  at  a  time,  as  if  repeating 
the  speech  of  another.  "  Thy  words,  Neigh- 
bor Watson,  are  all  fair  sounding,  but  always 
wind  up  with  the  suggestion  that  I  put  my 
hand  in  my  pocket,  and  never  we  put  our 
hands  in."  William  Blake  that  day  made 
the  discovery,  the  only  one  he  ever  made, 
that  he  was  a  fool,  and  could  not  remedy  the 
trouble. 

Matthew  Watson  was  astonished,  and  then, 
feeling  sure  of  his  position,  acted  the  part 
of  an  indignant  man.  Of  course,  he  could 
withdraw  if  dissatisfied,  but  hardly  expect  to 
do  so  without  a  loss.  He  might  go  to  Phila- 

99 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

delphia  or  return  to  England,  or  remain,  that 
he  could  decide  for  himself;  or  he  might 
find  some  one  who  would  buy  him  out,  but 
it  must  be  a  person  acceptable  to  him,  as  he 
did  not  wish  to  be  associated  with  those  who 
were  not  his  co-religionists.  Matthew  talked 
in  this  indifferent,  if  not  heartless  way,  and 
put  his  partner  in  a  steadily  more  depressing 
frame  of  mind,  and  at  last,  as  usual,  overdid 
the  matter.  William  said  that  he  should 
ask  for  a  committee  investigation,  though  he 
really  had  no  grounds  for  this,  for  he  had  not 
been  defrauded,  as  the  world  looks  upon  busi- 
ness transactions,  but  misled ;  but  the  very 
idea  of  being  closely  questioned  so  frightened 
Matthew  that  he  did  explain  and  promise  to 
put  in  writing  and  satisfy  William's  friends, 
and  so  drove  the  shadows  from  the  deluded 
man's  brows  and  put  him  more  at  ease ;  and 
then  Matthew  urged  him  home  to  dine  with 
him,  and  as  they  passed  up  the  lane  from  the 
landing  to  the  house,  he  made  William  feel 
as  if  he  was  a  prosperous  ship-owner,  and  the 
two  shillings  he  jingled  in  his  pocket  were  a 
dozen  golden  pounds. 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

William  entered  the  house  with  a  glad 
heart,  and,  would  wonders  never  cease,  Ruth 
was  as  beaming  as  her  step-father  had  been. 
For  once  he  was  really  happy,  because  full 
of  hope,  and,  seeking  an  opportunity,  he 
called  Ruth  to  one  side,  and  in  a  low  tone 
that  was  lost  on  all  other  ears  he  laid  his  for- 
tune at  her  feet,  and  would  gladly  have  put 
himself  there  also,  did  Friends'  discipline 
permit  of  such  a  proceeding. 

Ruth  was  too  astonished  to  make  any 
reply.  This  was  the  first  intimation  she  had 
had  that  this  rattle-brained  youth  had  ever 
given  her  a  second  thought.  What  could 
it  mean  *?  Was  it  the  property  in  England, 
of  which  he  had,  of  course,  heard,  and  sup- 
posed she  would  go  to  claim  ?  A  hundred 
wild  ideas  rushed  through  her  mind,  and,  for- 
getting where  she  was  or  who  were  present, 
she  turned  and  ran  out  of  doors,  down  the 
winding  lane,  and  on  and  on  until  out  of 
breath,  and  then,  turning  about,  ran  back 
again,  but  not  to  where  she  had  left  William 
standing  in  blank  amazement,  but  by  him  to 
her  mother,  and,  catching  her  by  the  hands, 


IOI 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

said,  "  Mother,  is  the  world  coming  to  an 
end,  as  one  of  our  ministers  is  always  pre- 
dicting *?  William  Blake  wants  me  to  marry 
him." 

William  Blake  looked  very  much  as  if  he 
would  like  to  escape  if  he  saw  any  means  of 
doing  so.  Ruth's  brothers  laughed  and  stared 
at  him.  Matthew  Watson  drummed  the  toe 
of  one  of  his  heavy  boots  very  distinctly  on 
the  bare  floor ;  and  then  followed  a  brief  but 
oppressive  silence. 

Finally  her  mother  spoke,  to  the  relief  of 
the  older  people  present.  "  Ruth,  thee  is  no 
longer  a  child,  and  should  not  treat  thy  friends 
so  strangely.  Perhaps  thee  did  not  under- 
stand what  William  said." 

"I  do  not  think  there  was  a  chance  for 
that.  No,  William,  I  cannot  marry  thee. 
It  is  very  kind  to  make  the  offer.  Per- 
haps—" 

"  Well,  Ruth,  well !"  exclaimed  William, 
with  strong  hopes  rilling  his  breast  again. 

"Perhaps  I  may  go  to  England  in  the 
spring." 


102 


Chapter  IX. 
The  Reply  to  the  Letter. 

SEVERAL  weeks  had  passed  since  the  arrival 
of  Revell  Stacy's  letter  with  its  important 
message  to  Ruth,  but  as  a  reasonable  time 
had  been  granted  for  a  decision  in  so  impor- 
tant a  matter,  a  final  decision  had  not  been 
reached,  and  the  serious  discussion  of  the  sub- 
ject from  time  to  time  postponed,  although 
Matthew  Watson  was  anxious  to  send  a 
reply,  and  had  improved  every  opportunity 
to  impress  both  upon  Ruth  and  her  mother 
the  desirability  of  the  former  accepting  the 
property  on  the  terms  offered  by  her  uncle 
Timothy,  and  "  remember,  Ruth,  Revell  Stacy 
does  not  say  that  thee  can  never  return  to  the 
province." 

"  Thee  has  never  read  me  the  full  text  of 
his  letter,  and  I  should  be  allowed  to  judge 
of  it  by  hearing  or  seeing  it,"  Ruth  replied. 

Matthew's  face  flushed  as  he  heard  these 

insinuating  words,  and  he  looked  steadily  at 
103 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

the  blazing  fire  on  the  hearth,  and  then,  as  a 
reason  for  still  looking  anywhere  than  at 
Ruth,  knowing  her  searching  eyes  were  upon 
him,  he  poked  viciously  at  the  burning  sticks 
and  caused  a  shower  of  sparks  to  rush  up  the 
wide  chimney  throat.  Not  until  then  could 
he  command  himself  as  thoroughly  as  he 
knew  was  necessary,  for  Ruth  was  an  an- 
tagonist, on  occasion,  that  he  really  feared. 
She  had  too  frequently  divined  his  thoughts 
and  without  apparent  interference  thwarted 
his  plans. 

"  Is  it  not  most  unseemly,  and  before  thy 
brothers,  too,  to  cast  a  doubt  upon  my  words 
and  intentions  ?  I  have  told  thee  an  estate  is 
at  thy  command  upon  conditions,  and  what 
more  need  thee  know  *?  Friend  Stacy's  letter 
has  other  matter  that  is  for  my  eyes  and  not 
thine,  and  am  I  not  standing  in  thy  father's 
place  *?"  he  asked,  with  some  show  of  emotion 
but  with  more  of  vexation. 

"And  perhaps  not  thinking  what  would 
have  been  my  father's  thoughts." 

"  Ruth,  Ruth  !"  exclaimed  her  mother,  with 

a  deprecatory  tone. 

104 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"Mother  dear,  with  the  coming  of  the 
spring  I  shall  be  eighteen  years  old,  and  so 
expected  to  speak  for  myself  where  I  only  am 
concerned,  and  that  is  but  a  short  time  off. 
Let  me  have  the  privilege  now,  for  the  impor- 
tance of  this  letter  will  not  admit  of  more 
delay.  Father  has  said  a  decision  must  be 
reached,  and  I  agree  with  him."  And  then, 
turning  to  her  step-father,  she  asked,  "  Am  I 
to  read  the  letter  myself,  or  is  what  thee  has 
told  me  all  that  I  am  to  know  ?" 

"What  I  have  told  thee  is  all  that  thee 
need  know,  as  I  have  already  said  to  thee." 

"  Then  if  I  err  in  judgment  from  ignorance 
of  the  truth,  the  sin  will  fall  upon  thee,"  Ruth 
replied,  with  a  trace  of  anger  in  her  voice. 

"  Ruth,  Ruth,  do  have  greater  concern  as 
to  thy  words.  Father  should  have  thy  con- 
fidence." 

"  Yes,  mother,  should  have,"  Ruth  replied, 
in  a  manner  that  plainly  indicated  that  he  had 
not. 

What  seemed  a  long  silence  followed,  the 
family  all  gazing  at  the  fire,  the  parents  with 

troubled  faces,  the  boys  curious  and  looking 

105 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

first  at  one  and  then  another  of  the  three  who 
were  so  intimately  concerned  with  the  subject 
under  discussion. 

Finally,  Matthew  Watson  began  moving 
uneasily  in  his  chair  and  was  about  to  speak, 
when  Ruth,  anticipating  him,  said,  "  Mother, 
will  thee  not  decide  for  me1?  I  have  said 
again  and  again  I  would  not  leave  thee,  and 
thee  has  said  I  should  not  go  against  my 
will,  but  there  has  been  a  cloud  of  sorrow 
resting  upon  thee  ever  since  the  hateful  letter 
came.  It  has  made  me  a  cause  of  discontent 
and  worry,  as  father's  actions  show,  and  I 
would  be  led  by  those  who  should  speak  for 
me  as  to  my  duty.  As  Friend  Bunting  has 
said  to  others  of  me, "  I  am  with  you  but  not 
of  you,'  and  if  not  as  strict  a  Friend  at  heart 
as  my  parents,  is  that  not  my  misfortune  rather 
than  my  fault?  Why  will  thee  not  decide 
for  me,  mother  *?"  asked  Ruth,  with  her  voice 
trembling  with  emotion. 

"  Had  thee  given  more  heed  to  the  solemn 
words  of  our  meetings,"  began  Matthew 
Watson,  in  his  sing-song  voice  that  made 

most  people  distrustful  of  the  speaker  without 

1 06 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

clearly  knowing  why,  "  thy  mind  would  not 
be  disturbed — "  but  Ruth  was  in  no  humor 
to  listen  to  his  cant,  and  cut  it  short,  saying, 
"  I  want  mother's  decision  now,  and  then  I 
can  better  listen  to  whatever  thee  may  have 
to  suggest.  Do  speak,  mother,"  again  im- 
plored Ruth. 

"  I  cannot,  indeed,  I  cannot,"  her  mother 
replied,  still  gazing  intently  at  the  fire. 

"  Thy  mother — "  again  began  Matthew 
Watson. 

"  Father,  this  conversation  must  be  be- 
tween mother  and  myself.  We  hold  a  rela- 
tion to  ourselves  with  which  thee  has  nothing 
to  do,  and  I  cannot  help  it  if  thee  is  pained 
by  what  thee  calls  my  perversity.  To  go  to 
England  means  to  leave  my  mother,  and  she 
shall  decide,  and  would  have  decided  before 
this  if  thee  had  not  so  persistently  interfered. 
I  can  only  guess  thy  wishes  from  thy  guarded 
words,  but  it  is  mother  who  has  to  judge  of 
this,  not  thee.  She  knew  my  father,  and 
knows  his  people  well ;  she  can  tell  me,  judge 
for  me.  They  are  world's  people,  are  they 

not,  like  the  Pearsons'?" 
107 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"They  are  not  Friends,  Ruth,  and  thy 
father  was  disinherited  because  he  became 
one.  They  would  treat  thee  kindly,  I  have 
no  doubt,  but  thee  would  not  likely  remain  a 
Friend ;  but,  Ruth  dear,  how  can  I  judge  in 
so  weighty  a  matter  ?  Matthew,  can  thee  not 
lead  us  to  a  proper  conclusion  *?"  asked  Ruth's 
mother,  turning  her  face  towards  her  husband. 

"  Mother,"  spoke  up  Ruth,  quickly,  "  I  will 
not  have  father's  judgment;  I  want  thine. 
Did  thee  not  hear  what  I  have  said,  or  will 
thee  not  heed  thy  o'wn  daughter's  prayer  for 
guidance  ?" 

Again  a  long  silence  followed,  and  it  was 
well.  Calmer  thoughts  came  to  each  troubled 
breast,  and  there  was  reason  to  believe  that 
the  vexed  question  would  be  finally  solved. 
Ruth  had  changed  her  position,  and  now  sat 
on  a  low  stool  at  her  mother's  feet,  with  one 
arm  upon  her  lap  and  the  other  around  the 
neck  of  her  brother,  who  still  sat  on  the  floor 
unmoved,  by  the  chimney  corner,  awed  by 
the  strange  and  at  times  angry  discussion  he 
had  heard.  Seated  according  to  her  wishes, 
and  as  she  had  so  frequently  sat  for  many 

108 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

years,  Ruth  looked  long  and  lovingly  into  her 
mother's  face,  and  then,  her  eyes  brightening 
and  her  face  that  had  been  drawn  and  troubled 
broadening  to  a  sweet  smile,  she  said, "  Father, 
my  words  were  not  what  they  should  have 
been,  but  my  heart  was  sorely  tried ;  what,  if 
thee  will  tell  me,  is  thy  wish*?" 

"  I  have  had  much  concern,"  her  step-father 
slowly  replied,  "  upon  my  mind  concerning 
the  letter,  and  given  it  attention  that  its  im- 
portance demands.  I  have  conferred  with  thy 
mother  and  some  of  our  meeting.  There  is 
not  a  unity  of  thought  on  the  subject,  but  if 
thee  can  find  thyself  strong  enough  to  remain 
a  Friend,  I  would  advise  thy  going.  Thee  is 
not  called  upon  to  change  thy  faith,  and  per- 
haps may  be  a  means  of  changing  others." 

As  the  purport  of  his  reply  became  evi- 
dent, Ruth's  mother  slowly  bent  over  her 
daughter,  until  her  face  nearly  touched  Ruth's 
floating  wealth  of  golden  hair,  and  when  his 
last  word  was  spoken,  she  exclaimed  "  Ruth  !" 
and  began  sobbing  unrestrainedly. 

At  that  moment  there  came  a  loud  knock 

at  the  door,  and  even  Ruth's  mother,  who 
109 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

had  for  long  years  held  her  feeling  under 
complete  control,  although  she  sat  up  and 
with  a  quick  motion  brushed  away  the  tears 
from  her  eyes,  could  not  conceal  all  trace 
of  the  intense  excitement  of  the  past  few 
moments.  Ruth  made  no  effort  to  conceal 
her  feelings. 

Matthew  Watson  rose  and  went  to  the 
door.  As  it  opened,  Robert  Pearson  entered 
the  room,  and,  with  a  courteous  greeting  to 
all,  remarked  in  his  cheerful  way  of  the 
splendid  weather  then  prevailing  and  his  dis- 
appointment at  not  seeing  him,  Matthew,  at 
the  meeting  about  the  survey  of  the  new 
road.  Then,  seeing  that  both  Ruth  and  her 
mother  wore  most  anxious,  troubled  looks, 
his  whole  manner  changed,  and  he  asked  if 
any  one  were  ill  or  had  bad  news  been  re- 
ceived. 

"  Matters  of  great  concern  detained  me,  to 
my  regret,"  Matthew  replied,  for  he  was  one 
who  did  not  wish  any  public  matter  to  pro- 
gress without  his  association  with  it,  and  the 
more  prominently,  the  better  he  was  pleased. 
He  took  it  as  a  slight  if  his  opinion  was  not 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

always  asked  and  his  judgment  requested. 
Robert  Pearson  saw  that  family  matters  had 
been  under  discussion,  and  he  judged  of  their 
general  character,  for  he  had  heard  from  Ruth 
all  that  she  knew  of  the  Stacy  letter.  "Good- 
ness, Cousin  Anne,  you  look  as  sober  as  an 
owl,  and  Ruth  isn't  much  of  an  improvement 
over  you.  I'm  almost  afraid  to  mention  my 
errand."  By  this  time  the  traces  of  grief 
were  pretty  well  effaced,  and  Ruth  thought, 
as  she  saw  her  mother's  effort  to  greet  her 
cousin's  chaffing  with  a  smile, — 

Grief  doth  quickly  come  and  go ; 

How  small  a  thing  is  sorrow ! 
To-day  'tis  only  ill  we  know, 

But  all  goes  well  to-morrow. 

"  I  hope  I  have  not  called  at  an  unfortunate 
time  and  interrupted  a  family  gathering." 

"  No,  no,  not  at  all,  cousin ;  what  was  thy 
errand?"  asked  Ruth,  hoping  it  referred  to 
herself. 

"  It  was  to  ask  if  Ruth  might  not  return 
with  me.  Mrs.  Pearson  and  the  girls  greatly 
desire  her  company,  as  we  have  planned  a  few 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

simple  games  and  pleasantries  for  the  young 
folks.  You  have  no  objection,  I  hope."  And 
Robert  turned  directly  to  Ruth's  mother  as  he 
spoke. 

Matthew  Watson  was  annoyed  beyond 
measure,  but  his  fear  of  Ruth,  who  had  finally 
deferred  to  his  judgment,  made  him  cautious. 
He  waited  a  moment,  and,  finding  his  wife 
did  not  reply,  said,  "  I  hope,  Neighbor  Pear- 
son, that  thee  has  not  in  contemplation  any 
worldliness  to  further  poison  Ruth's  mind. 
Her  lightness  and  want  of  care  for  spiritual 
things  is  a  sore  trial  to  us." 

Ruth  was  on  her  feet  in  an  instant,  for  she 
had  not  wholly  risen  when  Robert  entered 
the  room,  but  a  look  from  him  checked  her 
speech. 

"  As  I  am  in  thy  house,  and  in  their  pres- 
ence," pointing  to  Ruth  and  her  mother,  "  it 
does  not  become  me  to  inquire  too  closely 
into  thy  meaning.  It  sounds  like  rather  a 
serious  charge,  this  of  poisoning  Ruth's  mind, 
but  it  is  likely  one  of  those  high-sounding 
phrases  so  common  in  your  people's  mouths, 
that  has  very  little  behind  it.  Do  you  not 


112 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

suppose,  though  not  a  Quaker,  that  I  have 
some  care  for  my  honor  and  that  of  my  own 
house1?  Really,  the  more  I  see  of  your  faith, 
as  it  is  sometimes  practised,  the  less  I  am 
drawn  to  it.  What  do  you  say,  Ruth,  would 
you  like  to  come,  and  will  my  good  cousin, 
your  mother,  consent?" 

"  If  Matthew  does  not  object,  I  am  willing," 
Anne  Watson  replied,  with  a  suspicion  of 
doubt  in  her  voice  as  to  how  her  husband 
might  take  her  words. 

Ruth  was  again  about  to  speak,  but  felt 
that  her  cousin's  eye  was  upon  her,  and,  look- 
ing up,  caught  from  him  a  glance  suggesting 
caution  if  not  silence  on  her  part ;  but  she 
was  too  excited  not  to  speak  out,  and,  with 
fire  on  her  tongue,  was  about  to  express  her 
opinion  of  her  step-father,  when  Robert's 
pleading  look  restrained  her,  and  she  said,  so 
mildly  that  Robert  laughed,  "  I  will  come, 
gladly;  when  do  they  expect  me?" 

"  They  hoped  that  you  would  return  with 

me,  so  can  you  not  say,  '  I  will  go,'  instead 

of  'I  will  come"?     Then  I  shall  have  the 

pleasure  of  your  company,  and  we  will  make 

8  113 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

the  old  oaks  ring  at  the  bend  in  the  road  and 
hide  behind  them  when  the  girls  come  tearing 
down  to  meet  us." 

The  two  Watson  boys  stared  as  if  fright- 
ened as  Robert  Pearson  spoke  in  his  cheery 
way,  and  the  thought  vaguely  crossed  their 
young  minds,  what  good  times  the  world's 
people  have,  and  why  is  it  so  wicked? 

"  Father,"  said  Ruth,  as  she  was  about  to 
leave  the  house,  "  thee  may  write  to  Revell 
Stacy  and  say  that  I  accept  the  conditions 
and  will  come  as  soon  as  I  can."  She  did 
not  look  at  her  mother  as  she  spoke;  indeed, 
she  dared  not;  but  after  pausing  at  the  door 
a  moment,  she  returned  and  kissed  her,  with- 
out speaking. 


114 


Chapter  X. 
Ruth  and  her  Cousin. 

RUTH'S  mother  and  Robert  Pearson  were 
second  cousins,  and  about  the  same  age,  but 
he  seemed  to  every  one  much  younger  than 
he  really  was.  It  was  not  altogether  by 
chance  that  Matthew  Watson  had  located 
where  he  did  when  he  came  to  America. 
He  had  heard  from  his  wife  of  her  cousin 
Robert's  flourishing  condition.  How  with 
but  a  mere  remnant  of  a  wrecked  fortune  he 
had  come  to  West  Jersey,  and  now,  in  a  few 
years,  had  become  a  substantial  man  of  af- 
fairs. He  had  preceded  the  Watsons  several 
years,  and,  fond  of  company  and  partial  to 
his  own  kin,  had  been  very  urgent,  when  he 
heard  of  their  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  that  they 
should  take  up  the  tract  of  land  that  was  sepa- 
rated in  part  from  his  own  by  the  creek.  He 
had  succeeded  in  carrying  his  point,  and  Mat- 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

thew  Watson  had  had  no  fault  to  find.  Noth- 
ing had  been  misrepresented,  and  in  every 
business  relation  Robert  Pearson  had  been 
pre-eminently  just  and  considerate,  but  soon  a 
strained  feeling  arose  that  nothing  could  over- 
come. Robert  was  not  a  Friend,  and  had 
never  realized  what  was  the  full  purport  of 
Quaker  principles  until  he  had  met  Matthew, 
who  unfortunately  represented  much  more 
than  the  tenets  of  George  Fox  called  for.  He 
had  found  beneath  the  plain  coat  and  broad- 
brimmed  hat  abundant  evidences  of  our 
common  nature.  He  had  found  that  both 
Quakers  and  Churchmen  had  like  weak- 
nesses, and  learned  too,  to  his  surprise,  that 
the  latter  were  considered  legitimate  game 
of  the  former.  There  was  an  elasticity  of 
conscience  occasionally  exhibited  that  at  first 
disgusted  and  then  amused.  Matthew  could 
do  that  which  would  benefit  himself,  but 
could  not  repeat  it  for  the  benefit  of  another. 
In  short,  Robert  Pearson  looked  upon  him 
as  a  fraud,  but  said  nothing  in  public ;  the 
public  looked  upon  him  as  a  wonderful  man 
and  were  never  tiled  of  shouting  his  praises. 

116 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

As  in  all  such  cases,  the  whole  truth  was 
never  quite  laid  bare. 

As  Ruth  grew  to  womanhood,  Robert  had 
watched  her  career  with  great  interest  and 
encouraged  in  every  way  her  friendship  with 
his  own  daughters,  who  were  younger  than 
she.  It  was  a  red-letter  day  to  him  when 
he  discovered  by  mere  chance  the  interest 
that  she  had  excited  in  John  Bishop's  breast ; 
for  Friend  though  he  professed  to  be,  John 
was  a  Quaker  of  a  different  type,  and  recent 
events  had  made  him  more  and  more  the 
friend  of  Robert.  It  was  the  latter  who  had, 
while  keeping  in  the  background,  urged  the 
dissolution  of  the  partnership  with  William 
Blake,  and  since  then  had  aided  John  in 
purchasing  a  small  plantation  adjoining  his 
own,  a  hundred  acres  of  upland  and  meadow 
that  partly  laid  between  the  Pearson  and 
Watson  tracts. 

As  the  day  was  fine  and  the  walking  ex- 
cellent, Ruth  and  Robert  were  in  no  hurry  to 
reach  the  Pearson  house  ;  they  strolled  rather 
leisurely  along ;  so  deliberately,  in  fact,  that 

Ruth  thought  there  was  a  purpose  in  it,  and 
117 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

finally  said,  "  What  is  on  thy  mind,  cousin  ? 
Thy  gayety,  that  made  the  boys  stare  when 
we  left  the  house,  has  all  gone.  Has  thee 
repented  of  thy  bargain  already  to  see  me  to 
thy  house  *?  I  know  the  way  and  can  go  un- 
attended without  risk.  There  are  no  drunken 
Indians  lurking  in  the  woods,  I  suppose." 
And  Ruth  looked  archly  at  Robert,  who  still 
maintained  a  sobering  silence. 

"Well,  cousin,"  Ruth  again  remarked, 
after  they  had  gone  some  distance,  "  if  thee 
doesn't  speak  soon  I  snail  turn  back." 

"  I  was  thinking,  Ruth ;  and  let  me  ask," 
said  Robert  at  last,  "  was  there  anything  seri- 
ous going  on  when  I  called,  or  is  it  none  of 
my  business  *?  I  have  noticed  that  your  step- 
father has  been  very  self-occupied  of  late, 
much  more  so  than  usual,  and  gives  less  at- 
tention to  the  affairs  of  the  province,  to  every 
one's  surprise." 

"  Why,  don't  thee  know  ?  I  am  offered  a 
fortune  if  I  will  go  back  to  England  and  stay 
there  with  my  cousins.  Uncle  Timothy  has 
done  this,  and  I  don't  know  whether  I  am  glad 
or  not.  To-day,  thee  knows,  I  said  I  would 

118 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

go,  but  poor  mother — "  And  Ruth  did  not 
dare  go  on,  her  voice  rapidly  failing  her. 

"  I  have  heard  something  of  it,  as  has 
everybody  in  the  township,  but  nothing  very 
definite,  and  have  been  waiting  for  particulars, 
without  caring  to  ask  any  pointed  questions. 
Now,  do  please  tell  me  all  about  it,  if  it  is  no 
secret,"  urged  Robert.  And  she  gave  him  all 
the  details,  so  far  as  she  knew  them. 

"  That's  very  strange,"  her  cousin  remarked 
when  she  finished  her  story.  "  You  should 
insist  upon  seeing  the  letter." 

"  It  would  be  of  no  use  to  insist.  He 
may  have  hidden  or  burnt  it,  for  all  I 
know." 

"That  is  not  likely,  and  others  might 
prevail  where  you  could  not,"  Robert  sug- 
gested. 

"  Then  he  might  blame  mother  and  worry 
her  still  more.  No,  no,  don't  do  that." 
And  Ruth  showed  she  was  frightened  at  the 
mere  suggestion. 

"  Then  I  would  not  go,"  said  Robert,  im- 
patiently. 

"  But  I  have  promised  now  to  do  so,  and 
119 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

what  else  can  I  do,  as  he  is  urgent,  and 
mother — "  And  here  again  Ruth's  voice 
trembled  too  much  to  speak  further. 

"  Come,  come,  Ruth,  don't  bother  about 
it."  And,  quickening  his  steps,  Robert  looked 
about  him  arid  said,  "  I  believe  it  is  going  to 
snow." 

The  sky  was  then  overcast  with  one  dull 
leaden  cloud,  and  by  the  time  they  had  crossed 
the  creek  and  were  following  the  winding 
path  through  the  oak  woods  on  the  creek's 
north  shore  feathery  flakes  began  to  fall. 
Faster  and  faster  they  came,  so  that  the  air 
was  filled  with  them  when  Ruth  and  her 
cousin  reached  the  Pearson  house. 

Robert  had  not  announced  their  coming, 
as  he  had  proposed,  and,  stopping  a  moment 
at  the  gate  before  they  entered  the  little 
kitchen  door-yard,  said,  "  Ruth,  do  not  speak 
of  this  letter  from  England  to  the  folks 
here,  please,  and  let  me  think  the  matter 
over  for  you.  There  may  be  something 
behind  it  all  you  know  nothing  about." 

"  Why,  cousin,  what  do  you  mean.*?" 
asked  Ruth,  with  a  puzzled  look. 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  I  cannot  explain  now,  but  trust  me.  I 
am  as  much  thy  friend  as  thy  step-father — " 

What  more  Robert  was  about  to  say  will 
never  be  known.  While  he  was  speaking, 
a  jaunty  titmouse  clung  to  a  drooping  branch 
of  the  elm  that  towered  above  them  and 
clearly  whistled,  "Sweet  here  !  sweet  here!" 

"  Take  a  hint  from  that  little  bird,  Ruth. 
Don't  you  know  what  it  says  ?  It's  'sweet 
here,'  and  I  hope  you'll  find  it  so.  There 
are  the  girls  now,  looking  out  of  the  window. 
Come,  let's  go  in." 

Ruth  quite  forgot  her  cares,  doubts,  and 
general  conflict  of  emotions  when  with  the 
Pearsons.  Kindly  greeted  by  the  girls'  mother 
and  smothered  in  kisses  by  the  girls  them- 
selves, she  made  one  great  effort  to  swallow 
the  lump  that  was  rising  in  her  throat  and 
succeeded.  Everywhere  in  the  house  there 
was  sunshine,  though  now  so  gloomy  out  of 
doors,  and  she  could  have  kissed  the  grinning 
slaves,  Rebecca  and  Hagar,  she  was  so  happy. 
Every  reasonable  means  of  enjoyment,  even 
to  a  few  books,  had  been  provided,  and  the 
Pearsons  were  accustomed  to  discuss  every 


121 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

political  feature  of  the  province,  and  selected 
by  his  agent  in  town  what  little  current  litera- 
ture drifted  to  Philadelphia ;  for  Robert  had 
always  found  shillings  to  spare  when  there 
was  a  book  to  be  bought.  These  volumes 
were  ever  an  attraction  to  Ruth,  who  had 
been  taught  to  read  and  write  by  her  mother, 
but  with  no  other  books  in  the  house  than 
those  that  treated  of  their  religious  society. 
"  No  Cross,  no  Crown"  had  been  her  spelling- 
book,  and  was  now  in  use  again  as  her 
brother's  "  reader."  Matthew  Watson  had  a 
mutilated  copy  of  the  Bible.  It  had  origi- 
nally been  a  portly  volume  carefully  bound 
in  leather,  with  elaborately  tooled  edges  and 
corners  and  with  ornate  brass  clasps.  Besides 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  there  had  been 
the  order  of  Common  Prayer,  the  Apocrypha, 
and  the  whole  Book  of  Psalms,  collected  into 
English  metre.  All  these  had  been  cut  out 
and  destroyed,  except  a  few  pages  of  the 
rhymed  version  of  the  Psalms.  These  Ruth 
had  found  and  most  carefully  concealed.  To 
read  them  was  one  of  her  stolen  pleasures, 
and  from  them  she  had  received  her  earliest 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

impressions  of  poetry,  and  soon  began  making 
little  verses  for  her  own  amusement.  In  later 
years  she  had  heard  at  Pearson's  portions  of 
Shakespeare  read  aloud,  and  when  she  had 
ventured  to  read  a  little  for  herself,  the  world 
seemed  everywhere  so  full  of  meaning,  except 
in  her  step-father's  house.  Here  at  Pearson's, 
too,  her  education  had  been  advanced  and 
her  faculties  quickened  by  the  judiciously 
narrated  history  of  her  own  times  and  those 
troublous  ones  that  preceded  it,  told  by 
Robert's  mother,  now  a  very  aged  woman 
with  weakened  body,  but  with  mind  and 
memory  unimpaired. 

It  is  true,  her  mother  had  made  Ruth's  life 
a  most  pleasant  one  while  she  was  yet  a  child, 
and  now  the  boundless  love  of  the  daughter 
for  her  mother  made  Ruth's  life  far  from  irk- 
some while  at  home,  but  in  spite  of  it  all 
there  was  a  constant  longing  for  a  wider  out- 
look that  could  not  be  repressed ;  and  the 
failure  to  discover  that  wickedness  reputed 
among  the  "world's  people,"  as  all  non- 
Quakers  were  called,  had  made  her  sceptical 

concerning  the  wisdom  embodied  in  Fox's 
123 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

Journal  and  Barclay's  Apology.  "  There 
may  be  less  soberness,  mother,"  Ruth  had 
been  heard  to  say,  "  but  I  have  not  yet  heard 
indiscreet  speaking.  There  is  laughter  con- 
tinually, but  it  is  like  the  songs  of  the  birds 
to  which  thee  loves  to  listen.  Father  is  like 
a  sturdy  tree  that  grows  in  the  forest;  my 
young  cousins  are  like  the  wild  roses  that 
grow  beneath  the  windows,  and,  mother,  did 
not  the  Lord  make  them  both  ?" 

Ruth's  mother  scarcely  suppressed  a  faint 
smile  and  merry  twinkle  in  her  eyes  when 
thus  questioned,  but  her  husband's  step  was 
heard,  and  she  had  but  time  to  reply,  "  Thee 
is  too  young  yet,  Ruth,  to  understand  these 
things.  Be  careful  that  thy  words  do  not 
prove  a  wile  of  the  adversary." 

"  Does  thee  mean  thy  cousin  Robert  is  the 
evil  one  *?"  she  whispered,  and  then,  kissing 
her  mother,  darted  away  before  her  step-father 
could  cast  a  shadow  over  them. 

The  storm  was  raging  without,  but  not  an 
intimation  of  it  crossed  the  Pearson  thresh- 
old. There  was  abundant  warmth  and  light 

in  the  grand  old  kitchen,  and  the  walls,  to 
124 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

the  outermost  corners  of  the  sitting-room, 
were  aglow,  reflecting  the  forked  tongues  of 
flame  that  leaped  from  the  hickory  logs  piled 
upon  the  andirons.  There  had  been  game 
after  game,  from  sunset  until  now,  an  hour 
after  supper,  when  fortune-telling  had  been 
proposed,  and  Ruth  was  to  personate  a  gypsy 
queen.  No  one  could  do  it  better.  She 
knew  the  whims  and  fancies  of  the  young 
folks  present,  and  made  all  happy  by  her 
witty  suggestions  of  each  applicant's  future. 
Then,  when  there  was  little  left  to  be  said, 
she  remarked,  "But  nobody  has  told  me 
mine !" 

"  Let  me  do  so,"  suggested  Robert  Pear- 
son ;  and,  taking  his  stand  near  Ruth,  said, 
looking  at  the  palm  of  her  extended  hand, — 

"  An  excellent  fortune  shall  be  thine, 

But  not  from  across  the  sea. 
It  awaits  thee  now,  if  I  read  the  sign, 
My  pretty  Quaker  fairie." 

All  laughed  heartily,  except  Ruth.     Her 

cousin's  conversation  before  they  had  entered 

the  house  recurred  to  her,  and  what  could  he 

mean  by  hinting  of  the  letter  now  ?     This 

125 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

sobered  her  for  a  moment,  and  then  she,  too, 
laughed,  saying, "  Thank  thee,  Cousin  Robert." 
As  she  spoke,  she  looked  towards  the  door, 
for  some  one  was  coming  in.  It  was  John 
Bishop. 

Coming  forward,  he  shook  hands  with 
Ruth  and  said,  "  I  trust  Friend  Pearson  is  no 
false  prophet.  What  is  thy  view  of  the 
matter  *?  I  did  not  know  of  thy  expectations 
from  across  the  sea,  except  a  vague  rumor, 
until  William  Blake  told  me  this  afternoon." 

"  What,  pray,  has  William  been  telling 
thee,  John  *?"  asked  Ruth,  not  aware  that  John 
still  held  her  hand. 

"  That  thee  is  to  return  to  England  very 
soon,  and  he  is  to  accompany  thee.  He  did 
not  know  the  latter  part  of  these  strange 
tidings  himself  until  thy  brothers  told  him. 
It  seems  they  overheard  thy  parents  talking 
of  the  matter,  and  Friend  Watson  is  desirous 
that  William  should  sell  his  share  of  the  boat 
to  him,  or  let  him  act  as  his  agent,  and  return 
to  England  with  thee." 

This  sudden  breaking  of  the  news  in  the 

Pearson    household    caused   all    present   to 
126 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

gather  about  Ruth  and  John,  and  there  was 
naturally  a  babel  of  questioning  and  expres- 
sions of  disapproval  and  regret.  Ruth  stood 
the  ordeal  wonderfully  well,  but  John  was 
much  chagrined  to  find  that  he  had  unwit- 
tingly published  what  was  in  some  measure 
a  secret.  But  he  did  not  deserve  the  blame 
he  put  upon  himself.  He  had  not  been 
cautioned  in  any  way,  and  then  had  not 
Robert  referred  to  it  in  the  fortune-telling? 
Besides,  how  was  he,  still  a  young  man,  and 
desperately  in  love,  to  keep  wakeful  guard 
forever  on  his  tongue  ?  He  had  called  this 
very  night  to  say  a  word  or  give  a  look  that 
Ruth  might  interpret,  for  he  had  seen  her 
pass  near  his  shop  that  day  on  her  way  to 
Pearson's,  and  he  knew  she  had  not  returned. 
Robert  Pearson  looked  troubled  for  the 
time,  and  then  said,  rather  loudly,  to  show 
that  he  meant  it  for  all,  "  When  we  see  a 
great  smoke  there  is  likely  to  be  some  fire  at 
the  base  of  it,  and  so  with  Ruth.  An  old 
uncle  has  left  her  something,  but  all  tied 
up  in  conditions,  and  so  perhaps  not  worth 

going  after.     I  for  one  won't  let  her  go  after 
127 


it,  if  I  can  help  it,  when  there's  many  a  stout 
lad  in  the  province  that  would  only  be  too 
glad  to  lay  all  he  had  at  her  feet." 

"  Cousin,  cousin  !"  cried  Ruth,  her  face  red 
as  a  rose  ;  and,  putting  her  hands  to  her  ears, 
she  ran  out  of  the  room. 

The  young  people  ran  after  her,  and  Rob- 
ert, turning  to  John,  touched  him  upon  the 
arm  and  said,  "  Let's  go  into  the  kitchen  and 
smoke  our  pipes.  I  want  to  say  a  word  about 
this  matter."  And  seated  there,  in  comfort- 
able chairs,  Robert  told  John  all  that  he 
knew  of  Ruth's  affairs,  and  added,  "  I  believe 
it  is  an  ugly  business  and  should  be  thwarted." 
Then,  after  a  pause,  for  John  could  make  no 
reply,  so  confusing  were  his  thoughts,  Robert 
said,  "  Have  you  spoken  to  Ruth  *?" 

"  About  what  <?" 

"  Why,  about  yourself."  And  Robert 
laughed  heartily.  "  Man  alive  !  everybody 
knows  you  are  in  love,  and  I  for  one  am 
glad  to  know  it.  Why  else  did  you  talk  to 
Bunting's  old  hound  in  that  queer  way  some 
time  ago?  You  didn't  know,  of  course, 

there  was  an  eavesdropper  about,  but  there 

128 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

was.  Well,  speak  to  her  your  very  first 
chance,  for  I'm  sure  she  likes  you,  and  then 
it  will  give  her  a  chance  to  punish  you  for 
interfering  with  her  bathing."  And  Robert 
laughed  again. 

"  I  will  be  guided  by  your  advice,  Friend 
Pearson,"  replied  John,  and  might  have  said 
more,  but  was  interrupted  by  Robert's  re- 
mark,— 

"  Please  call  me  by  my  name.  I  have  seen 
just  a  little  too  much  of  this  '  Friend  this' 
and  '  Friend  that'  to  altogether  like  it." 

"  But  I  am  a  Friend,"  John  replied,  with  a 
broad  smile  lighting  his  pleasant  face. 

"  Yes,  but  of  another  sort." 

"  Good-night,  father ;  good-night,  Neigh- 
bor Bishop,"  was  heard  from  the  head  of  the 
stairs.  "  Ruth's  going  to  bed,  and  so  are  we. 
Good-night." 

So  John  saw  no  more  of  Ruth ;  but  when, 
an  hour  later,  he  went  out  into  the  storm,  it 
was  with  so  many  pleasant  thoughts,  that  he 
scarcely  noticed  that  it  was  still  storming. 


129 


Chapter  XL 

The  New  Tear. 

As  the  older  people  of  the  Crosswicks  Val- 
ley found,  and  the  younger  element,  in  later 
years,  too  discovered,  the  nominally  long 
winter  drew  all  too  rapidly  to  a  close.  Every- 
where there  was  a  hint  of  the  coming  spring. 
Noisy  blackbirds  hovered  over  the  marshy 
meadows ;  starlings  whistled  from  the  willow 
hedges ;  even  the  song  sparrows  in  Watson's 
gooseberry  hedge  sang  so  cheerfully  that 
Ruth's  mother  often  stopped  to  listen,  and  her 
husband,  busy  out  of  doors,  seeing  his  wife 
bareheaded,  at  an  open  door  or  window,  won- 
dered if  she  were  calling  him  and  he  had 
not  heard,  and  so  asked  if  he  were  wanted,  in 
those  harsh  tones  that  silenced  every  sparrow 
and  caused  his  wife,  after  a  vigorous  negative 
shake  of  the  head,  to  shut  the  door  or  window 
in  despair. 

It  was  the  beginning  of  the  year,  and 
130 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

Matthew  Watson  was  stirring  in  the  matter 
of  taking  advantage  of  the  first  open  water 
to  have  the  boat  begin  her  trips  to  and  from 
Philadelphia.  Through  the  winter  he  had 
talked  much  with  William  Blake  in  glittering 
generalities,  but  thought  and  planned  more 
with  himself,  down  to  the  minutest  details. 
In  spite  of  the  golden  future  he  set  forth  to  his 
partner,  there  lingered  a  feeling  of  distrust  on 
William's  part,  and  he  was  ready  to  sell  out 
at  any  time,  if  not  at  a  loss ;  and  Matthew's 
propositions  all  required  some  sacrifice. 

Worn  almost  to  illness  and  wholly  despair- 
ing of  gaining  the  affections  of  Ruth,  William 
thought  seriously  of  his  partner's  suggestion  to 
return  to  England  with  her,  and  who  knows 
what  change  might  take  place  in  the  girl's 
mind  when  away  from  all  her  old  acquaint- 
ances but  him.  Matthew  Watson  had  hinted 
of  this  and  of  leaving  him  as  his  agent  in  the 
boating  business.  He  could  then  speak  of  his 
investments  in  America,  Matthew  had  sug- 
gested, and  the  words  had  a  charm  for  Wil- 
liam's weak  mind  that  was  powerful  if  not 
quite  overpowering.  Should  he  sell  or  make 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

such  arrangement  as  had  been  suggested*? 
His  own  efforts  to  solve  a  problem  were 
always  futile,  and  he  sought  John  Bishop's 
advice ;  but  there  he  could  get  no  satisfac- 
tion. It  was  not  an  easy  question  to  answer, 
and  why  not  seek  some  prominent  man  of 
affairs ;  why  not  consult  William  Emley  or 
Thomas  Lambert?  If  distrustful  of  his 
partner,  why  not  sell  out,  even  at  a  loss  ?  for 
it  was  worth  something  to  be  rid  of  worry. 
This  last  bit  of  advice  was  lost  on  William, 
however.  What  transpired  after  his  last  visit 
to  John's  shop  William  did  not  tell,  but  a 
bargain  was  reached,  and  he  was  for  the 
second  time  free  to  come  and  go  and  to 
invest  his  steadily  diminishing  capital. 

So  the  days  passed.  There  was  activity 
both  within  doors  and  without,  for  Ruth  had 
to  make  her  preparations  for  the  journey,  and 
her  mother  was  busied  about  it  too  whenever 
her  ordinary  household  duties  would  permit ; 
but "  why  do  this  and  why  that?"  her  mother 
often  asked.  "  Can  thee  not  get  better  suited 
when  thee  gets  home  *?"  And  her  voice  would 

always  change  at  the  utterance  of  that  last 
132 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

word ;  so  much  so  that  Ruth  had  learned  to 
expect  it,  and  would  try  to  kiss  her  mother 
before  it  was  spoken. 

"  But  don't  thee  know,  mother,  I  am  to  be 
so  busy  there  converting  my  cousins  ?  Father 
says  that  I  may  be  the  instrument  of  a  great 
change  among  my  people ;  but  really,  has 
thee  ever  discovered  any  converting  tendencies 
in  me?  Father's  words  are  not  always  in 
accord,  for  he  has  charged  me  with  perverting 
others  by  my  example.  Oh,  dear  !  I  do  won- 
der what  England  is  like."  And  Ruth  would 
go  on  steadily  with  her  needlework,  and  if  she 
looked  up  from  it,  her  eyes  would  wander  but 
in  the  one  direction. 

"  What  does  thee  think,  mother,"  Ruth 
asked  one  day,  "  of  my  plan  of  having  John 
make  me  two  small  oaken  chests  to  hold  all 
my  worldly  possessions  ?  I  want  them  made 
of  oak  from  the  creek's  north  shore,  and  he 
can  use  the  brasses  that  are  on  the  old  chest 
in  the  garret  that  got  so  badly  broken  on 
shipboard  when  we  came  over." 

"  The  chest,  dear,  is  not  so  badly  broken 
but  it  can  be  mended,  so  father  says,  and  one, 
133 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

even  if  large,  would  be  better  suited  to  thy 
needs  than  two,  and  John  has  scarcely  time 
for  such  work  now." 

"  He  has  fully  two  weeks,  and  it  is  his 
trade,  mother,  and  why  not  humor  me  since 
I  am  so  soon  to  leave  thee1?  I  still  have  those 
silver  shillings  that  thee  has  said  were  always 
mine,  and  I  feel  as  if  I  ought  to  begin  to  be 
a  woman  of  affairs  and  make  my  own  pur- 
chases." 

"  Thee  is  a  strange  child,  Ruth,  and  I  am 
much  concerned  for  thee,  but  I  see  no  serious 
reason  why  thee  should  not  have  this  whim, 
as  thee  calls  it,  carried  out.  Why  does  thee 
not  ask  father?  and  if  he  thinks  proper,  let 
him  speak  to  John." 

"  Will  the  time  never  come  when  I  can 
speak  myself  to  John  without  the  whole  prov- 
ince raising  its  eyebrows  ?  Wherever  I  go  it 
is  John,  John,  John  ;  not  shouted  at  me,  but  it 
might  as  well  be,  for  that  is  the  meaning  of  the 
noddings  and  smiles  and  wise  looks  of  every- 
body in  Chesterfield  and  Nottingham.  I  wish 
this  same  '  everybody'  was  just  one  person, 
and  John  would  give  him  or  it  a  ducking  in 
134 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

Crosswicks  Creek."  And  Ruth's  eyes  flashed 
as  she  gave  this  full  expression  to  her  feelings. 

"  Ruth  dear,  I  am  astonished  at  thy  words." 

"  So  am  I.  Bother  these  words ;  they  are 
none  of  them  strong  enough,  and  I  dread  to 
shock  thee  with  some  of  the  words  of  the 
world's  people.  Just  for  half  a  day  how  I 
would  like  to  be  a  man  and  swing  my  arms 
right  and  left  among  some  of  the  gatherings 
about  the  old  oak  in  the  meeting-house  yard. 
I  never  heard  a  syllable,  but  it  always  seems 
to  me,  judging  from  appearances,  that  every 
group  is  gossiping  about  Ruth  and  John — 
John  and  Ruth." 

Her  mother  could  not  repress  a  smile, 
although  she  tried  to  look  serious.  A  good 
deal  of  her  old  self  was  welling  up  to  the 
surface,  but  she  said,  "  Has  it  never  occurred 
to  thee,  Ruth,  that  thee  might  be  giving 
more  thought  to  thyself  than  others  do  con- 
cerning thee*?  Are  we  not  too  apt  to  hold 
ourselves  at  more  than  our  real  value1?  I  think 
I  have  seen  the  world  enough  to  say  it  is  a 
common  failing." 

"  True,  mother ;  but  there's  a  difference — " 
135 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Ah !  Ruth,  each  of  us  holds  herself  as 
the  exception  to  everything  undesirable." 

"  But,  mother,"  Ruth  insisted,  "  there  is  a 
difference.  I  do  not  concern  myself  with  my 
neighbors,  and  why  should  I  be  singled  out 
as  the  target  for  all  their  gossipy  arrows? 
Would  it  not  be  more  fitting,  if  I  must  be 
criticised,  for  the  Friends  to  wait  until  I  have 
really  done  something  terrible,  or — or — well 
— well,  until  John  Bishop  asks  me  to  marry 
him  ?  I  wish  he  would." 

"  Why,  Ruth !"  exclaimed  her  mother,  in 
astonishment. 

"  Yes,  I  wish  he  would ;  for  then  I  could 
give  him  an  answer  that  would  end  this 
tattle." 

"But  would  thee,  Ruth?"  asked  her 
mother,  recovering  from  the  shock  of  her 
daughter's  strange  declaration. 

"  Would  I,  mother  ?  Why,  how  can  I 
tell  until  he  asks?"  And  then,  leaving  the 
little  rocking-chair,  she  took  a  stool  and 
placed  it  at  her  mother's  feet,  and  taking  her 
mother's  hands  in  her  own,  rested  her  head 
upon  them,  and  sang  in  a  low  voice, — 
136 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

Oh,  for  the  laddie  with  merry  een, 

The  laddie  I  greet  when  I  gae 
For  a  walk  i'  the  field  ;  'twas  so  yestreen, 

His  words  were  as  music  to  me. 

Oh,  for  this  laddie  with  dark-brown  hair 
And  skin  that  is  kissed  by  the  sun ; 

Oh,  when  shall  it  be  his  love  he'll  declare, 
Oh,  when  can  I  call  him  my  own  ? 

Oh,  for  this  laddie,  who  knows  no  fear ; 

With  him,  hand  in  hand,  to  the  end 
I  would  walk,  all  my  days  a-laughing  at  care, 

Then  die  in  the  arms  of  my  friend. 

Then  for  almost  an  hour  they  sat  as  they 
were,  neither  speaking. 

Matthew  Watson  had  gone  to  Burlington 
and  the  boys  were  out  of  hearing.  Ruth 
and  her  mother  knew  that  they  were  free 
^om  interruption,  and  it  is  not  strange  that 
they  should  have  been  so  superlatively  happy. 
The  thought  of  their  soon  parting  did  not 
trouble  the  mother  for  the  moment,  and  the 
daughter  seemed  never  to  give  it  a  second 
thought.  She  treated  it  like  some  ordinary 
occurrence,  and  so  had  roused  her  mother's 
137 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

curiosity.     Never  again  might  there  be  such 
an  opportunity  for  mutual  confidences. 

"  Ruth  dear,  tell  me,  what  is  thy  feeling 
towards  John*?" 

"  Why,  didn't  I  tell  thee  in  my  little  song  ? 
That  is  what  I  meant  to  do.  I  love  him, 
mother." 

"  Has  he  ever  spoken  to  thee  of  this  ?" 

"  No,  mother,  but  I  can  read  his  thoughts ; 
and  oh,  if  I  should  misread  them !"  And 
Ruth  drew  a  long  breath  and  pressed  her 
hands  to  her  heart. 

"  Why,  Ruth,  what  is  the  matter  *?  asked 
her  mother,  much  impressed  by  such  a 
violent  gesture. 

"Was  thee  ever  young  thyself?  Why 
does  thee  ask  ?" 

"  Then,  dear,  what  will  thee  tell  him,  if  he 
should  ask  thee,  before  thee  goes  away  ?"  « 

"  That  he  must  go  away  too." 

"But  thy  cousins  in  England  would 
scarcely  approve  of  John ;  he  is  not  of  thy 
father's  rank  in  life,  and  they  account  such 
things  of  much  importance,  as  I  learned 
when  thy  father — " 

138 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"Do,  mother,  let  us  talk  of  something 
else.  Thee  has  sought  my  confidence  and  I 
have  given  it.  If  John  asks  me  to  marry 
him,  I  shall  say, '  I  will,'  and  will  hold  to  my 
promise,  if  it  means  giving  up  that  fortune 
over  there  and  coming  back,  and  I  wish  it 
would.  Better  John  with  what  he  can  ac- 
quire than  what  Uncle  Timothy  has  left  me 
with  an  '  if.'  But,  mother,  suppose  any  one 
should  have  heard  our  conversation,  wouldn't 
tongues  be  wagging  all  over  Chesterfield'?" 
And  Ruth  laughed  merrily  as  she  thought 
of  such  a  thing  happening.  "  I  shall  write  a 
message  on  a  slip  of  birch  bark  to  save  paper, 
and  send  it  to  John  by  the  boys.  I'll  find 
out,  at  least,  if  he  can  make  them." 

"  Had  thee  not  better  let  father  attend  to 
this1?"  asked  her  mother. 

"  Decidedly  not,  mother.  Let  me  have  my 
own  way  this  time." 

"  This  time  *?"  repeated  her  mother.  "  Has 
it  not  always  been  so  ?" 

The  note  was  written,  the  boys  called 
from  their  play  and  sent  upon  the  errand  of 
delivering  it  to  John.  They  were  not  gone 
139 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

long,  and  brought  back  with  them  the  reply : 
Dear  Ruth, — There  is  no  mention  of  the  size 
desired,  and  the  brasses  of  one  large  chest  will 
hardly  fit  two  small  ones.  Shall  I  call  for  par- 
ticulars?— J.  B. 

Ruth  laughed  at  the  indefiniteness  of  her 
note,  and  while  debating  with  herself  as  to 
the  desirability  of  writing  another  and  more 
explicit  note,  she  saw  John  Bishop  approach- 
ing the  house. 

"  After  the  boys  left,"  he  said,  on  entering 
the  house,  "  I  thought  to  save  thee  trouble  I 
had  better  come  directly  for  the  necessary 
directions.  Of  course  I  can  make  the  chests, 
but  I  am  puzzled  about  the  old  brasses." 

"Oh  dear,  father  is  not  home,  and  I  do 
not  know  that  I  can  have  them.  Never 
mind ;  I  will  use  the  old  chest,  which  mother 
says  can  be  mended.  It  was  a  foolish  notion 
that  I  had  of  having  two  small  chests  instead 
of  one  that  is  large  enough  to  hold  all  I've 
got  and  me  too ;  at  least  this  side  of  the 
ocean." 

"  What  does  thee  think  of  Ruth's  return- 
ing to  England,  John?"  asked  Ruth's  mother, 
140 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

at  the  same  time  watching  his  countenance 
closely  as  he  listened  and  replied. 

"  I  have  scarcely  given  it  a  thought, 
Neighbor  Watson." 

"Well!"  exclaimed  Ruth;  "that  is  not 
very  flattering,  I  must  say ;  but  then  we  are 
not  supposed  to  make  pretty  speeches  about 
each  other." 

John  looked  a  little  confused,  but  quickly 
caught  himself  and  said,  "  Surely  I  am  very 
sorry.  Perhaps  she  will  return  to  thee  one 
of  these  days.  I  do  not  believe  our  old 
homes  will  be  as  attractive  to  her  as  these 
newer  ones  that  we  have  here.  Ruth  cannot 
remember  England,  surely." 

"Oh,  no,  and  I  don't  care  to  go  back, 
either,  even  on  a  visit.  It's  a  case  of  necessity, 
it  seems,  that  I  wish  had  not  arisen." 

The  idea  of  the  new  chest  was  abandoned 
with  a  promptness  that  made  Ruth's  mother 
wonder  if  it  had  been  but  an  excuse  on  her 
daughter's  part  to  have  John  call.  This  was 
not  a  generous  view  to  take  nor  a  correct 
one,  and  the  girl  would  have  been  furious 

had  she  thought   her  mother  entertained  it 
141 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

for  an  instant ;  but  circumstances  did  point 
that  way.  John,  too,  was  surprised  at  the 
sudden  abandoning  of  the  plan,  and,  seeming 
to  have  no  further  reason  for  staying,  bade 
them  farewell  in  the  formal  fashion  of  the 
day.  But  Ruth  walked  with  him  to  the 
door,  and  as  he  was  about  leaving  the  thresh- 
old, upon  which  he  paused  for  a  moment, 
she  said,  in  a  subdued  tone  that  was  not 
natural  to  her,  "  I  am  sorry,  John,  that  I  gave 
thee  so  much  trouble." 

"  Sorry  ?  Ruth,  don't  let  such  a  trifle  as 
that  annoy  thee.  I  am  sorry  I  cannot  be  of 
any  use  to  thee.  So  it  is  really  settled  that 
thee  is  going  away."  And  John  as  he  spoke 
looked  directly  into  her  eyes. 

"  Oh,  yes,  it  has  been  settled  for  some  time ; 
but  I  do  wish  William  Blake  was  not  going 
in  the  same  ship." 

"  Had  I  not  better  go  too,  to  keep  William 
from  worrying  thee?"  asked  John,  trying 
hard  to  smile,  but  too  much  in  earnest. 

He  had  asked  a  question  in  mingled  fun 
and  seriousness  to  which  she  must  reply,  but 

how  could  she  without  opening  up  to  him 
142 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

her  whole  life  ?  She  bit  her  lower  lip  until  it 
almost  bled  to  restrain  her  feelings.  In 
another  moment  she  would  have  precipi- 
tately fled,  but  John  caught  her  hands  and 
said,  in  a  manner  that  meant  everything, 
"  Ruth." 

"Yes,  John,"  she  whispered,  with  eyes 
brighter  than  he  had  ever  seen  them,  and 
then  withdrawing  her  hands,  turned  away. 

John  Bishop  walked  with  lighter  steps 
than  he  had  ever  done.  The  hills,  the 
trees,  the  creek,  his  shop,  all  the  world  was 
wrapped  in  a  new  light.  Ruth's  mother, 
standing  by  the  window,  saw  him  go,  and 
said,  as  her  daughter  came  to  her  side,  "John 
walks  as  if  thee  had  given  him  pleasant 
tidings." 

"  Mother,  I  have  given  him  my  heart." 


Chapter  XII. 
Straightening  the  Lines. 

ROBERT  PEARSON  and  John  Bishop  were 
so  frequently  seen  together  that  it  was  but  a 
short  time  before  gossip  had  made  them  its 
victims,  and  the  women  were  all  agog  to 
know  what  it  meant,  and  John  was  always 
absent  from  Fifth  day  meetings  and  with  his 
wits  in  the  clouds  'on  First  day.  He  was  a 
changed  man,  it  was  commonly  said,  and  of 
course  because  led  astray  by  the  worldly  Rob- 
ert Pearson.  Both  men  heard  rumors  to  this 
effect,  and  let  them  pass  unheeded.  There 
was  a  steady  growth  in  the  population,  and 
that  was  worth  considering,  and  ship-loads  of 
new-comers  were  soon  expected.  Such  facts 
made  them  busy  men,  and,  eminently  practi- 
cal, they  foresaw  the  increased  value  of  their 
lands  and  were  ready  to  increase  their  acreage 
as  opportunity  afforded.  The  creek  was  the 
only  water-way  leading  to  Philadelphia,  and 

the  roads  were  of  little  use.     Better  shipping 
144 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

facilities  should  be  provided.  Whenever 
John  could  spare  the  time  he  and  Robert 
were  to  be  seen  passing  and  repassing  the 
ground,  and  they  had  kept  William  Emley 
pretty  busy  in  surveying.  For  their  own 
advantage,  whether  they  proposed  to  retain 
or  sell,  it  was  decided  by  them  that  the  whole 
region  should  be  replotted,  and  various  metes 
and  bounds  more  definitely  fixed.  In  this 
matter,  which  far  more  concerned  Robert 
with  his  thousand  acres  than  John  with  his 
hundred,  it  became  necessary  to  consult  with 
Matthew  Watson,  for  to  exactly  define  the 
limits  of  his  tracts  along  the  creek  and  those 
of  Robert  Pearsons  was  no  easy  matter ;  but 
Matthew  was  suspicious,  and  claimed  he 
knew  just  how  his  property  lay,  and  Robert 
ought  to,  as  its  former  owner ;  and  was  not 
every  foot  of  it  recorded  in  Revell's  Book  of 
Surveys'?  What  more  did  he  need  or  could 
any  one  ask  *? 

"The  cost  will  be  but  trifling,"  Robert 
urged,  "  and  a  general  resurvey  of  this  whole 
valley  with  its  tracts  of  marsh  will  prevent 
disputes  that  may  arise  in  the  future.  Do 

10  145 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

you  see  that  great  ash-tree  at  the  bend  of  the 
stream  *?  Is  it  on  your  land  or  mine  ?  Is  it 
a  boundary  tree  *?" 

"  It  is  my  corner,  where  it  abuts  against 
Hutchinson's  land." 

"  So  I  supposed  you 'Id  say.  If  you'll  read 
the  deed  over  again,  you'll  find  it's  the  small 
ash  twenty  feet  to  the  westward  that  marks 
the  line.  Freshets  have  carried  off  monu- 
ments, winds  have  uprooted  trees,  and  if  you 
wanted  to  put  up  a  fence,  you  would  be 
puzzled  in  the  particulars,  if  right  in  a  gen- 
eral way.  I  have  induced  John  to  buy  the 
Hutchinson  marshes,  for  some  day,  if  ditched 
and  banked,  they  will  become  excellent  pas- 
ture, and  what  he  does  not  buy  I  will  take 
myself.  We  have  seen  the  proprietor  and 
agreed  upon  the  price." 

"  Why  was  I  not  consulted  *?"  asked  Mat- 
thew, impatiently. 

"About  what, — our  business?"  replied 
Robert.  "  And  since  when  have  you  shown 
such  friendly  interest  in  our  affairs  as  to  wish 
to  advise  with  us  *?  Really,  Friend  Watson, 

your  manner  is  a  puzzle  to  me.      Would 
146 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

you  have  bought  the  unsurveyed  tracts  that 
have  been  begging  for  a  purchaser  since  you 
came  to  the  country  *?  Before  the  passing  of 
the  deeds  we  purpose  having  the  tract  again 
surveyed,  and  the  new  survey  compared  with 
the  old,  and  if  our  neighbors  will  not  join  us, 
John  and  I  will  form  ourselves  into  a  meadow 
improvement  company,  and  perhaps  some 
day  startle  the  valley  with  a  project  to  build 
wharves,  deepen  the  channel,  and  generally 
cause  a  peaceful  revolution.  This  is  not  a 
mere  boast  or  an  over-statement,  John,  do 
you  think  ?" 

"  It  is  the  subject  of  our  thoughts  of  late, 
certainly,  and  is,  I  trust,"  said  John,  turning 
directly  to  Matthew  Watson, {'  a  proper  con- 
cern for  me.  As  the  Friends  in  this  township 
and  in  Nottingham  so  greatly  outnumber  all 
others,  is  it  well  that  they  should  take  no  in- 
terest in  the  general  betterment  of  our  estates? 
You  that  have  families  should  surely  consider 
the  welfare  of  those  who  have  been  intrusted 
to  your  care." 

"  Quite  a  sermon,"  whispered  Robert,  with 
a  sly  nudge  that  Matthew  did  not  notice. 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  I  am  inclined  to  thy  views,  John,"  Mat- 
thew deigned  to  admit ;  "  but  my  surprise  is 
that  thee  did  not  consult  with  Friends  before 
entering  upon  such  an  enterprise.  It  was  my 
advice,  I  think,  that  led  thee  to  establish  thy 
shop." 

"  Oh !"  exclaimed  Robert  Pearson,  with 
his  eyes  turned  skyward,  thinking,  "  Is  that 
a  sample  of  a  Friend's  veracity  *?"  For  it  was 
he,  and  he  alone,  who  had  brought  John 
Bishop  and  William,  Blake  together. 

"  Well,  Neighbor  Watson,  we  cannot 
stand  all  the  day  idle,  you  know.  John  and 
I  have  an  engagement,  and  will  carry  out  our 
plans  without  you.  The  weather  is  superb, 
the  meadows  dry  for  a  wonder,  the  frost  is 
all  gone,  and  yet  it  is  but  the  middle  of  the 
month.  The  shop  is  in  good  hands,  John's 
help  being  a  very  skilful  man." 

"  Thee  may  be  as  rash  as  thy  fancy  that 
the  winter  is  over ;  there  will  be  snow  and 
sleet  yet."  And  Matthew  turned  away,  glad, 
it  would  seem,  to  say  something  disagreeable 
in  reply  to  Robert's  abounding  cheerfulness. 

It  was  a  splendid  afternoon.     The  whole 
148 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

earth  seemed  upon  the  point  of  awakening. 
There  was  warm  sunshine,  a  clear  blue  sky, 
the  winding  creek,  now  almost  free  from'  ice 
and  glittering  like  polished  gold ;  and  every- 
where faint  traces  of  green  showed  in  the 
sheltered  nooks,  where  the  warmth  of  the 
sun  was  held  as  one  might  hold  water  in  the 
hollow  of  the  hand.  The  air,  the  trees,  the 
leafless  shrubbery,  alike  were  filled  with  birds. 
Over  the  meadows  gathered  the  redwings 
fluting  merrily ;  the  grakles  in  the  tall  trees 
spluttered  and  croaked,  as  though  they  were 
hoarse  from  overmuch  rejoicing ;  the  wild- 
fowl, returning  from  the  south,  curved  in  and 
out  among  the  scattered  trees  that  bordered 
the  creek's  crooked  channel,  and  whistled  and 
chattered  where  they  gathered  in  the  shallow 
pools  that  dotted  the  marshes.  Everywhere 
in  the  broad  landscape  there  was  abundant 
evidence  of  life,  and  above  all  other  sounds 
rose  the  deep  rattle  of  myriad  frogs.  Robert, 
loving  more  and  more  the  wide  landscape 
that  had  been  so  long  familiar  to  him  that  it 
had  entered  into  his  daily  life,  touched  John 

upon  the  arm  and  said,  "  Is  this  not  beautiful? 
149 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

Do  you  remember  a  prettier  scene  in  old  Eng- 
land *?"  And  without  waiting  for  a  reply  con- 
tinued :  "  And  then  to  think,  John,  it  is  our 
home.  What  comfort  in  the  thought  we 
are  not  subject  to  the  whims  of  a  landlord, 
eh  ?"  And  Robert  waved  his  arms  about  him, 
as  if  he  would  embrace  the  nearest  tree  and 
kiss  it. 

John  smiled  at  his  enthusiasm,  but  his 
thoughts  were  running  in  another  channel. 
"  If  I  mistake  not,  there  comes  Ruth ;  is  she 
going  to  thy  house  ?" 

"  I  suppose  so  from  the  direction  she  is 
going ;  and  that  reminds  me,  John,  have  you 
taken  my  advice  ?" 

John's  face  grew  very  red  and  he  tried  to 
turn  the  conversation,  but  Robert  saw  his 
aim  and  diverted  it.  "  I  believe  you  have, 
and  she  has  not  said  thee  '  nay,'  or  you 
wouldn't  get  so  fiery  red.  Remember,  John, 
I  have  a  right  to  speak  since  our  last  conver- 
sation. But  what  of  this  plan  of  her  going 
back  to  England  for  a  fortune?"  asked  Rob- 
ert, with  a  sneering  tone  as  he  spoke  the  last 
words.  "  Will  you  go  with  her  *?" 
15° 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  How  can  I,  with  all  these  ventures  in 
land  upon  my  hands  ?  I  have  hopes  yet  that 
she  will  not  go ;  but  if  she  does,  I  shall  have 
to  go  after  her  and  bring  her  back." 

"  If  I  can  prevent  it,  she  shall  not  go," 
said  Robert,  with  an  emphasis  suggestive  of 
an  oath. 

"  But  how  can  thee  ?"  John  asked,  with 
much  interest. 

"How  old  is  Ruth?" 

"  Eighteen  in  Third  month  next." 

"  Not  eighteen  until  May ;  that's  bad," 
said  Robert,  thoughtfully. 

"  Why,  may  I  ask  thee  *?" 

"  Until  then  she  is  a  child  and  must  obey 
her  parents." 

"  Obey  her  mother,  I  suppose.  Has  Mat- 
thew any  legal  right  over  her  ?" 

"  His  having  supported  her  all  these  years 
would  give  him  right,  I  suppose,  but  not  if 
Ruth's  mother  had  something  from  her  first 
husband  and  she  has  supported  Ruth,  and  I 
think  that  is  the  case.  It  would  be  an  ill- 
judged  step  to  interfere,  but  if  Ruth  will  join 
us,  if  she  really  loves  you  and  you  her,  why 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

not  circumvent  Neighbor  Watson?  Plots 
and  counter-plots,  eh,  John?  Why,  it  is 
like  reading  a  play  of  the  olden  time.  We 
were  going  to  straighten  some  lines  in  the 
meadows  to-day;  let  us  see  if  we  cannot 
straighten  some  of  the  lines  in  Ruth's  life 
and  yours,  John.  Come,  let's  step  about  and 
join  Ruth  before  she  reaches  my  lane,  or  the 
girls  will  see  her  coming  and  you'll  have  no 
chance  to  get  in  a  word."  And  Robert  took 
John  by  the  arm  and  they  hurried  in  a  new 
direction,  the  former  full  of  the  new  plan 
and  eager  as  a  boy  for  the  bloodless  fight, 
while  the  latter  had  ideas  in  plenty,  but  just 
now  in  a  bewildering  state  of  confusion. 


152 


Chapter  XIII. 
A  Visit  to  Burlington. 

EARLY  in  the  day,  while  a  chilling  fog 
rested  over  the  landscape  and  the  candles 
were  yet  burning  in  the  kitchen  of  the 
Watson  homestead,  a  negro  brought  a  horse 
to  the  door,  saddled,  and  with  a  leathern  pack 
also  upon  the  horse's  back ;  and  after  waiting 
for  a  few  moments  he  was  relieved  of  his 
charge,  and  Matthew  Watson,  mounting  the 
patient  beast,  turned  its  head  towards  the 
public  road  and  was  soon  out  of  sight.  His 
destination  was  Burlington.  The  road  was 
a  long  and  lonely  one,  and  the  recent  thawing 
weather  had  made  the  way  so  muddy  and 
yielding  that  it  would  be  well  towards  night 
before  he  arrived  at  that  flourishing  town  by 
the  river.  Matthew's  purpose  was,  if  possible, 
to  secure  passage  for  Ruth  on  one  of  the  two 
ships  that  had  been  lying  there  all  winter; 
and  having  transacted  that  important  matter, 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

he  would  return  promptly,  or  failing,  would, 
if  necessary,  keep  on  his  journey  to  Phila- 
delphia. 

Many  were  the  errands  he  had  been 
charged  with  by  his  wife  and  boys,  for  the 
journey  to  town  was  an  undertaking  of  some 
magnitude,  involving  an  expenditure  of  both 
time  and  money ;  but  Matthew  was  not 
given  to  bothering  about  trifles,  as  he  called 
much  of  everybody's  business  but  his  own. 
"  I  trust  I  shall  find  Friend  Gardiner  at  home, 
for  he  can  best  aid  me  in  my  concern  to 
secure  a  proper  vessel,"  he  said  to  himself; 
"  if  it  was  only  the  other  way,  there  would 
be  no  difficulty.  Still,  there  are  Friends 
returning  in  almost  every  ship,  and  William 
will  be  on  board."  Say  what  he  would  to 
himself,  Matthew  did  not  find  the  outlook  a 
pleasant  one.  What  if  she  were  the  only 
woman  on  board  *?  And  with  this  thought  the 
man's  stern  features  sterner  grew.  He  was 
taking  a  fearful  responsibility  on  himself,  and 
he  knew  it,  and  why  ?  Because  he  had  failed 
to  make  of  Ruth  a  prim,  spiritless  Quakeress, 
blind  to  about  all  that  makes  a  life  worth 
154 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

living.  A  dull,  grasping  animal  himself, 
nothing  akin  to  pleasure  ever  cast  a  ray  upon 
his  mind  that  was  not  physical  rather  than 
intellectual.  His  occasional  remarks  in 
meeting  had  no  bearing  on  his  own  life ;  but 
his  interests  lay  in  his  standing  with  the 
people  with  whom  his  life  had  been  thrown, 
and  his  religion  and  his  interests  were  so  in- 
separable as  to  be  practically  one.  Ruth  had 
been  a  thorn  at  times  in  his  flesh,  and  yet  his 
smothered  sense  of  justice  had  forced  him 
often  to  admit  to  himself  that  her  views  of 
life  were  neither  irrational  nor  irreligious ;  but 
they  were  not  the  views  of  Friends,  and  his 
own  judgment  must  not  weigh.  He  could 
scarcely  be  Friend  Watson  and  a  controlling 
spirit  in  meeting  and  yet  have  a  worldling  in 
his  family.  William  Blake  had  a  little  prop- 
erty, and  could  he  but  bring  about  her  mar- 
riage, then  his  responsibility  would  cease, 
and  he  could  control  William  if  he  lived  in 
the  neighborhood ;  then,  too,  the  cost  of  her 
maintenance  would  no  longer  fall  upon  her 
mother.  What  a  piece  of  good  fortune 
this  opportune  letter  of  Revell  Stacy's,  that 
'S3 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

made  his  way  plain  and  provided  for  Ruth  ! 
But  Matthew  was  troubled  lest  his  motive  in 
withholding  the  letter  should  yet  be  discov- 
ered. "  It  is  my  judgment  that  it  is  best  for 
her,"  he  continually  assured  himself,  and  all 
the  while  his  "  inward  voice"  that  he  had 
been  known  to  preach  about  told  him  he  was 
not  to  that  extent  "his  brother's  keeper." 
It  was  Ruth  who  was  left  to  judge.  To  suit 
his  own  distorted  views  of  duty  he  dared 
defy  law  and  justice  and  decide  for  her. 
There  was  a  passage  in  the  letter  he  dared 
not  let  her  read.  Had  he  done  so,  she  would 
have  reached  a  different  conclusion. 

At  times  as  he  rode  along,  meeting  no 
human  being  and  so  communing  continually 
with  himself,  his  fears  almost  overcame  him, 
and  he  would  check  the  horse's  progress ; 
but  then  the  thought  would  come,  to  return 
would  be  to  make  known  the  truth,  and  the 
meeting  would  stand  aghast  at  the  grievous 
sin  of  one  of  their  leaders.  "  It  must  be 
that  my  judgment  is  correct,"  he  would 
mutter,  and  then,  bolstered  by  the  sound  of 
words  he  uttered  and  vainly  tried  to  believe, 
156 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

he  pressed  forward  towards  the  town.  It 
was  a  tiresome,  lonesome,  dispiriting  journey, 
and  Matthew  dreaded  to  make  known,  in  a 
garbled  way,  his  errand  when  he  reached  his 
destination.  Might  he  not  contradict  him- 
self; might  he  not  seem  unduly  anxious 
and  possibly  rouse  suspicion  in  the  minds  of 
Friends  ? 

This  was  too  much  for  his  stubborn  pride, 
and  he  exclaimed,  "Nonsense;  whoever 
questioned  me  or  my  motives'?"  And  with 
renewed  confidence  in  himself  he  shifted  his 
position,  looked  out  upon  the  world  instead 
of  at  his  horse's  neck,  and  rode  on  with  more 
of  the  appearance  of  an  upright  man. 

While  the  sun  was  setting  back  of  the 
Pennsylvania  hills  Matthew  Watson  rode 
into  Burlington,  and,  having  found  shelter  for 
his  horse,  wended  his  way  to  Thomas  Gardi- 
ner's and  became  his  guest  for  the  night. 

The  affairs  of  meeting,  of  the  province, 
every  topic  that  he  could  think  of,  was  duly 
discussed,  and  not  until  the  other  members  of 
the  family  had  retired  did  Matthew  mention 
the  main  purpose  of  his  visit.  The  "  Shield" 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

and  "  Welcome"  were  still  at  Burlington,  he 
had  learned,  and  did  Friend  Gardiner  think 
that  passage  for  a  young  woman  could  be 
had  upon  either  vessel  *?  "  Is  she  alone  ?" 
asked  Thomas ;  "  if  so,  it  would  not  be  pos- 
sible. There  are  so  few  people  that  return, 
and  particularly  at  this  time  of  the  year,  that 
boats  take  merchandise  only  on  the  home- 
ward passage.  That  a  young  woman  should 
go  with  but  the  crew  on  board  would  not 
be  proper,  nor,  indeed,  would  the  captain  of 
either  vessel  assume  the  responsibility  of  such 
a  charge.  And  who,  may  I  ask,  is  this  young 
woman  that  would  return  *?" 

"  My  step-daughter,  Ruth  Davenport," 
Matthew  replied. 

"  Ruth  Davenport  return  to  England !" 
exclaimed  Thomas,  in  blank  amazement. 
"And  why  must  she  go?  Why,  she  has 
been  with  thee  since  an  infant." 

"  Her  uncle  Timothy  has  left  her  prop- 
erty." And  Matthew  gave  him  the  same  in- 
formation he  had  given  others. 

Friend  Gardiner  listened  attentively,  and 
then,  after  some  minutes  spent  in  silent  reflec- 
ts 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

tion,  deliberately  replied,  "  I  should  think 
out  of  thy  abundance  thee  might  well  main- 
tain Ruth  until  she  married,  as  she  likely  will 
do,  and  give  her  a  portion  then.  She  must 
be  as  a  daughter  to  thee  after  all  these  years, 
and  thee  has  no  daughter  of  thy  own.  I  am 
amazed  at  thy  eagerness  to  have  her  go." 

"But  Ruth  is  not  a  Friend,  as  I  would 
wish,  and  her  worldliness  is  a  sore  trial  to  me. 
I  had  thought  that  the  Friends  in  Yorkshire 
might  prevail  upon  her,  and  she  become 
an  instrument  in  the  welfare  of  her  cousins. 
Thee  may  know  the  Davenports  are  worldly 
people." 

"  I  cannot  follow  thee,  Matthew,  in  thy 
reasons.  Were  she  my  child  or  step-child, 
she  should  not  return,  unless  with  me ;  but 
if  thee  is  fixed  in  thy  resolve,  and  Ruth  is 
willing,  she  must  go  in  the  care  of  some 
returning  Friend  from  Philadelphia.  As  the 
season  advances,  there  will  doubtless  be  such 
an  opportunity." 

"  But  she  must  go  at  once  to  prevent  the 
bequest  of  her  uncle  being  of  no  effect 
through  her  absence.  William  Blake,  that 
159 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

is  of  our  meeting,  proposes  to  return  with 
Ruth,"  replied  Matthew,  with  evident  doubt 
as  to  the  effect  of  this  information. 

"  And  who  is  William  Blake,  may  I  ask  ? 
I  do  not  recall  the  name." 

"  A  young  Friend  from  Nottingham  that 
has  been  in  the  province  for  several  years. 
He  is  much  interested  in  Ruth,  and  will 
surely  be  company  for  her  during  the  voy- 
age." 

"William,  a  young  man,  and  Ruth,  a 
young  woman,"  remarked  Thomas,  slowly. 
"No,  Matthew,  I  can  give  thee  no  advice, 
unless  it  is  that  thee  reconsiders  the  whole 
matter ;  and  let  me  add,  the  meeting  will  be 
lax  in  their  duty  if  they  do  not  inquire 
closely  into  this  whole  subject.  Thy  anx- 
iety to  have  her  go,  whatever  the  way  and 
whatever  the  consequence,  is  a  strange  view 
of  parental  duty." 

"  Is  not  her  going  for  her  own  good, — 
good  in  both  ways?  She  acquires  an  inde- 
pendence in  England,  and  is  saved  from 
possible  marriage  with  one  whom  I  fear  is 

not  at  heart  a  Friend.     I  am  doubly  doing 

1 60 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

my  duty,  as  I  see  it ;  and  as  Ruth  has  so  long 
been  stubborn  and  received  my  reproofs  with 
so  little  concern,  she  surely  can  care  for  her- 
self during  a  voyage  to  England." 

"  If  she  sailed  from  here,  she  would  land 
at  Bristol,  and  it  would  be  a  lonely  journey, 
if  alone,  from  there  to  Scarboro." 

"But  William  would  accompany  her," 
persisted  Matthew. 

"  I  cannot  assist  thee ;  it  is  a  matter  that 
I  highly  disapprove  of."  And  here  the  con- 
versation ended. 

The  next  morning  Matthew  learned,  as 
Thomas  Gardiner  had  predicted,  that  the 
captains  of  the  two  vessels  then  at  anchor 
before  the  town  were  both  unwilling  to  take 
Ruth  as  a  passenger  unless  other  women 
went  along ;  but  there  were  ships  at  Phila- 
delphia in  which  passage  might  be  engaged. 
No  offer  that  he  could  make  would  induce 
them  to  change  their  decision ;  and,  more 
chagrined  than  he  dare  admit,  he  was  left 
with  the  alternative  to  return  home  with 
nothing  accomplished  or  go  on  another  and 
longer  day's  journey  to  Philadelphia,  and 

II  161 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

this  he  did.  Even  here  he  found  difficulties 
and  delays,  but  at  last  completed  his  task ; 
and,  as  there  were  to  be  two  other  women 
passengers,  neither  Thomas  Gardiner  nor 
any  of  the  Friends  in  Chesterfield  could 
adversely  criticise  him.  He  felt  infinitely 
relieved,  and  yet,  two  days  later,  when  he 
attended  meeting  in  Burlington,  the  Spirit  did 
not  move  him  to  speak.  Thomas  Gardi- 
ner's eyes  seemed  steadily  fixed  upon  him, 
and  he  was  glad  when  the  elders  shook 
hands  and  meeting' was  over. 

Matthew's  peace  of  mind,  or  that  stern 
confidence  in  his  own  strength  which  did 
poor  duty  for  it,  was  not  improved  by  the 
events  of  his  trip.  The  cost  was  almost 
treble  what  he  had  anticipated,  and  he  had 
much  to  provide  for  Ruth's  comfort  while 
on  board.  The  sea  was  apt  to  be  rough, 
the  weather  bad,  and  the  voyage  a  long  one, 
but  he  could  take  no  backward  step.  He 
engaged  her  passage,  and  Ruth  must  now 
return  to  England  about  the  middle  of  the 
month. 

What,  then,  was   his   amazement  when, 
162 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

soon  after  reaching  home,  his  wife  remarked, 
as  he  was  beginning  to  force  himself  to  be- 
lieve the  threatened  storm  was  over,  "  John 
Bishop  has  spoken  to  Ruth  in  thy  absence 
and  she  has  accepted  him." 

"  Ruth  accepted  him !"  he  exclaimed, 
rising  suddenly  from  his  chair ;  "  then  does 
she  decline  to  return  *?" 

"  I  have  not  heard  her  say,  Matthew ;  but 
why  should  not  John  return  with  her*?  or 
perhaps  she  will  marry  him  and  not  go.  I 
am  too  much  troubled  of  late  to  think  or 
advise  ;  thee  must  speak  to  Ruth." 

"  She  is  at  Robert  Pearson's,  thee  said ; 
will  she  return  to-night*?" 

"  I  think  not.  She  said  it  was  likely  to 
be  her  last  visit  there,  and  she  will  stay  as 
long  as  possible.  Thee  knows  how  attracted 
she  is  to  Robert's  daughters." 

"  It  has  been  a  grievous  trial  to  me,"  re- 
plied Matthew,  assuming  what  might  be 
called  his  "  meeting"  voice,  "  that  we  ever 
permitted  her  to  become  so  friendly  there. 
Are  there  no  young  people  of  Ruth's  age  in 
the  land  except  at  Robert  Pearson's  ?" 
'63 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  But  Robert  is  my  cousin,  Matthew." 

"  Which  does  not  lessen  our  responsibility 
in  Ruth's  case.  Should  she  marry  out  of 
meeting  or  against  our  wishes,  what  will  the 
elders  say  of  me,  of  us,  as  guides  in  our 
household"?  She  is  yet  a  child  and  must 
obey  as  a  child,  and  what  she  may  have  said 
to  John  Bishop  is  not  binding  upon  her." 
And  Matthew  walked  to  and  fro  across  the 
kitchen  floor,  with  his  hands  clasped  behind 
his  back. 

"  She  may  hold-  her  words  binding,  Mat- 
thew, and  I  believe  she  will." 

"  Have  I,  then,  no  authority  in  my  own 
household*?"  asked  Matthew  of  his  wife, 
standing  near  and  looking  intently  at  her. 

Anne  Watson  knew  when  silence  was 
golden,  and  made  no  reply. 


164 


Chapter  XIV. 
Plots  and  Counter-plots. 

"  RUTH,"  called  Robert  Pearson,  when  he 
and  John  were  within  easy  hailing  distance, 
"  have  you  no  eyes  for  your  cousin  or  for — " 
but  Ruth  had  heard,  and,  stopping  suddenly, 
waited  for  the  two  men  to  come  up  to  her. 
Her  greeting  was  cordial,  but  a  little  more  re- 
strained than  it  might  have  been  had  it  been 
either  John  or  Robert  instead  of  both. 

Her  cousin  noticed  this  at  once,  and  before 
Ruth  had  more  than  said  she  was  glad  to  see 
them,  said,  in  a  cheerful  but  earnest  way, 
"  Let's  get  down  to  business  at  once,  Ruth, 
and  blow  the  poetry  of  courtship  to  the 
winds.  There  is  no  time  for  it  now." 

Ruth  blushed  as  her  eyes  wandered  towards 
John,  and  he  was  very  rosy,  and  so  the  more 
handsome  in  her  eyes ;  but  his  quick  glance 
spoke  volumes,  and  Ruth  knew  they  had  met 
her  for  a  serious  purpose. 

165 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Ruth,  neither  John  nor  I  are  willing  that 
thee  should  go  to  England,  if  it  can  be  pre- 
vented, and  the  question  before  us  is,  can  we 
prevent  it1?  I  know  of  thy  understanding 
with  John,  and  so  we  will  make  no  further 
reference  to  that,  but  let  me  add,  I  guessed 
it  and  was  not  told."  And  Robert  looked  at 
John  and  laughed  heartily. 

Poor  John !  he  wished  that  Robert  could 
attend  to  all  this  without  his  aid  and  he  was 
busy  in  his  shop.  For  the  first  time  since 
their  "  understanding,"  as  Robert  called  it,  he 
had  met  Ruth,  and  under  what  strange  cir- 
cumstances ;  and  the  thought  came  stealing 
across  his  mind,  Is  this  the  conduct  the 
world  expects  of  a  Friend  *?  To  enter  into  a 
conspiracy !  But  he  saw  Ruth's  inquiring 
glances  trying  to  read  his  thoughts,  and  forth- 
with all  concern  for  other  matters  vanished. 
He  had,  in  truth,  but  one  thought,  one  aim, 
one  ambition, — Ruth ;  and  as  he  looked  at 
her  now,  their  glances  meeting,  he  tried  hard 
to  have  her  read  his  heart. 

"  This  is  an  ugly  business,  Ruth,  and  must 
be  grappled  with  caution.  Matthew  has  the 

1 66 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

advantage  in  many  ways, — the  law  is  on  his 
side  ;  so,  above  all  else,  appear  to  be  obedient," 
said  Robert,  earnestly ;  "  a  good  deal  will 
depend  upon  thy  power  of  acting  a  part." 

"  But  I  hate  it !  Why  can't  I  speak 
out*?" 

"  How  like  a  woman  !  Mad  in  love  with 
her  lover,  and  before  then  mad  in  love  with 
herself.  Always  acting  a  part,  and  a  fetching 
one,  too,  that  made  many  a  Quaker  breast 
thump  like  flails  on  the  threshing-floor,  and 
now  she  tells  us  she  hates  acting.  Why, 
Ruth,  was  it  not  your  sweet  acting,  the  part 
you  played,  that  won  John  ?" 

"  Is  this  your  important  business,  Cousin 
Robert"?  If  so,  I  will  go  on  to  the  house." 

"  Now,  who  is  acting,  Ruth  ?  As  if  you 
could  leave  John  in  that  heartless  way.  But 
come,  let  us  talk  seriously." 

"  I  wish  thee  would,"  replied  Ruth. 

"  Then  let  me  unfold  a  plan,  and  ask  for 
nothing  but  what  we  tell  you,"  said  Robert, 
speaking  again  in  a  sober,  earnest  way. 

"  That's  like  father ;  only  so  much  as  he 

sees  fit  to  tell  me." 

167 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  He  is  not  thy  father,  Ruth,  and  I  wish 
thee  would  not  call  him  so,"  said  Robert, 
impatiently. 

"  Mother  would  be  displeased  if  I  did  not ; 
but  he  is  only  father  in  name,  and  this  I 
always  remember  when  I  speak  to  him.  I 
do  not  remember  that  I  ever  kissed  him  in 
my  life." 

"And  you'll  not  kiss  him  good-by,  I'll 
warrant,"  Robert  replied ;  and  said,  further, 
"  This,  in  brief,  is  what  John  and  I  have 
determined  upon.  You  are  to  start — " 

"To  start?" 

"  Yes,  to  start,  and  let  the  finish  be  in  other 
hands.  You  shall  not  be  left  in  doubt  at 
any  stage,  but  must  trust  implicitly,  that 
there  be  no  failure.  A  misstep  might  work 
endless  mischief,  you  know.  Isn't  there 
some  sort  of  a  saying  about  a  misstep — well, 
perhaps  I'm  thinking  of  something  else ;  but 
trust  us,  John  and  I,  and  all  will  be  well,  and 
how  the  whole  province  will  say  '  amen  !' " 

"Robert,  thee  frightens  me.  Is  what 
cousin  says  thy  counsel  too?"  And  Ruth 
gave  an  anxious  glance  towards  John  and 

1 68 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

held  out  her  hand,  as  if  she  asked  for  his 
support. 

John  took  her  hand  and  said,  "  Yes,  Ruth, 
Robert  is  the  better  spokesman,  and  let  him 
give  my  wishes  their  words.  I  trust  thee 
will  follow  his  advice  in  every  particular. 
What  is  his  counsel  is  mine,  and  when  the 
day  shall  come  that  I  can  speak  freely,  there 
will  be  no  words  too  strong  to  express  how 
much  we  owe  him.  I  once  was  instrumental 
in  snatching  thee  from  danger,  and  Robert 
may  prove  equally  timely  in  drawing  thee 
from  another  and  a  greater  one."  And  John 
suddenly  ceased  speaking,  feeling  that  fur- 
ther speech  might  too  strongly  betray  his 
emotions. 

"  Thy  earnest  words,  that  sound  so  unlike 
thee,  do  not  relieve  my  fears,  John.  What  is 
the  whole  truth,  John, — Robert*?  Do  some 
one  tell  me !  What  has  happened  that  I 
should  be  sent  away  from  home,  and  be  in 
danger  too  from  the  time  I  start1?  Why  is 
there  so  much  mystery  about  it  all  ?"  And 
Ruth  was  rapidly  working  herself  up  to  a 

dangerous  pitch  of  excitement. 
169 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  We  are  playing  a  game  of  chess,  but  this 
time  with  living  figures,  such  as  I  wished  to 
teach  you,  and  it  rests  with  you  whether  or 
not  Matthew  Watson  is  checkmated — and 
you,  mated."  And  Robert  laughed  at  his  lit- 
tle joke  at  Ruth's  expense.  "  Either  John  or 
I  will  give  you  written  instructions,  which 
you  are  not  to  read  until  on  board  the  boat, 
and  then  without  being  observed  by  others 
to  do  so.  Follow  these  simple  directions 
and  don't  fear  for  the  result.  It  may  appear 
like  taking  a  leap-  in  the  dark,  but  your 
present  ignorance  is  your  future  good." 

"  I  believe  thee,  cousin ;  but  it  seems  all 
so  strange,"  replied  Ruth,  with  an  effort  at 
cheerfulness. 

"  We  cannot,  if  we  would,  tell  you  much 
more  now,  for  all  our  plans  are  not  matured. 
We  have  yet  to  learn  what  thy  step-father 
proposes  to  do.  You  are  to  go  down  to 
Philadelphia  in  his  boat,  I  believe,  and 
when?" 

"The  ship  I  go  in  sails  on  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  Second  month." 

"The   last   week   in   April;    well,   that's 
170 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

some  days  off;  but,  John,  we  must  not  let 
grass  grow  under  our  feet.  Ruth,  here  is  a 
little  commonplace  book  with  a  dozen  leaves 
left  in  it.  Whatever  you  learn  worth  re- 
porting write  on  one  of  these  leaves  and 
find  some  way  to  get  it  into  John's  hands 
or  mine,  but  without  folks  knowing  it. 
Don't  let  it  be  all  covered  over  with  love 
messages."  And  Robert  made  the  woods 
ring  with  his  merry  laughter. 

"  But  how  can  I  do  this  ?  I  cannot  carry 
the  leaves  to  John,  thee  knows." 

"  Much  as  you'd  like  to."  And  Robert 
laughed  again. 

"  I  believe  thee  will  laugh  at  thy  own 
funeral,  cousin ;  but  do  tell  me  how,  and 
please  don't  tease  me  so,"  pleaded  Ruth,  and 
she  took  a  step  nearer  to  John. 

"  That's  right ;  put  yourself  under  John's 
protection.  You  can't  commence  too  soon." 
And  again  Robert  laughed  more  heartily  than 
ever. 

"  It  is  too  bad  of  thee  to  go  on  so  when 
I  am  all  worked  up  with  worry  and  dread. 

John,  why  does  thee  let  him  tease  me  so  ?" 
171 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

At  this  appeal  Robert  could  no  longer 
contain  himself,  and  laughed  in  his  hearty 
way  till  his  sides  ached ;  then  composing 
himself,  he  said,  "  I'll  tell  you  how.  I  have 
to  see  Neighbor  Watson  almost  every  day 
about  the  new  flood-gates,  and,  instead  of 
meeting  him  at  John's  shop,  I  will  come  to 
the  house  and  bring  my  maps  and  plans 
with  me  to  spread  out  before  him,  and  while 
we  talk  you  can  slip  the  note  into  my  hand, 
or  put  it  in  my  hat,  or  leave  it  under  the  flat 
stone  by  the  lane  gate.  Only,  I  charge  you, 
if  you  value  your  welfare  and  John's,  find 
out  all  you  can,  and  don't  appear  to  be  find- 
ing out  anything ;  and  what  you  hear  report 
to  us." 

"  I  will ;  and  now  do  let  me  go  home,  for 
I  have  no  head  to  carry  on  a  conversation 
even  with  the  girls,  and  want  a  chance  to 
think  in  quiet;  and  oh,  I  am  so  tired  of 
standing !" 

"  No,  don't  go  back.  Let  the  girls  take 
care  of  you,  and  mother  will  coddle  you  till 
you're  rosy  as  an  apple  again.  If  I  meet 

Neighbor  Watson  as  John  and  I  go  back 
172 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

to  the  shop,  I'll  tell  him  you  won't  be 
home." 

"  But  you  won't  see  him,  for  he  went  to 
Burlington  ;  but  I  told  mother  I  might  stay." 

Ruth  hesitated  a  moment.  She  wanted  to 
say  just  one  word  to  John,  and  yet  Robert's 
presence  restrained  her.  She  must  content 
herself  with  a  formal  hand-shake,  she  thought, 
which  is  such  a  poor  substitute  for  a  lover's 
farewell.  Did  Robert  catch  the  current  of 
Ruth's  thought  *?  John,  too,  lingered  a  lit- 
tle, and,  while  Robert's  back  was  turned,  he 
bent  over  Ruth's  upturned  face  and,  kissing 
her  for  the  first  time,  whispered,  "  Farewell, 
Ruth,  and  trust  us." 


173 


Chapter  XV. 
Music  in  Meeting. 

ON  the  west  window-seat  in  Pearson's 
parlor  there  was  an  JEolian  harp.  For 
several  years  this  had  been  a  source  of  de- 
light to  Ruth,  who  never  tired  of  the  sweet 
sounds  issuing  therefrom  when  the  soft 
breezes  breathed  upon  its  strings.  From  it 
she  had  received  a  few  crude  ideas  of  har- 
mony, just  as  the  metrical  version  of  the 
Psalms  had  given  her  an  idea  of  versification. 
The  two  had  made  her  a  poetess  in  a  primi- 
tive way,  and  after  a  fashion  a  musician. 
Her  thoughts  would  often  run  to  rhyme,  and 
she  would  startle  her  hearers  with  giving 
expression  to  her  thoughts,  as  though  hum- 
ming an  old  song.  It  was  this  strange 
habit,  which  grew  upon  her  as  the  years 
rolled  by,  that  caused  her  cousin  Robert  to 
nickname  her  the  "Quaker  Fairie,"  with 
long-drawn  emphasis  on  the  final  syllable. 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

This  was  a  bit  of  pleasantry  on  Robert's 
part  that  would  possibly  have  been  straight- 
way forgotten,  but  when  he  found  his  use 
of  the  name  had  startled  and  astonished 
Matthew  Watson,  he  never  lost  opportunity 
to  make  use  of  it  in  her  step-father's  presence, 
and  even  went  so  far  as  to  bribe  the  old  man's 
boys,  when  little  fellows,  to  call  her  "  Fairy 
Ruth  ;"  but  the  bribe  was  not  sufficient  recom- 
pense for  the  punishment  they  received,  and 
the  practice  was  nipped  in  the  bud. 

The  harp  at  Pearson's  was  so  constantly 
in  Ruth's  mind  that  she  one  day  improvised 
one  for  herself,  merely  placing  a  single, 
tightly-drawn  thread  at  the  window's  base 
and  raising  the  sash  so  slightly  that  it  would 
not  be  noticed  as  not  all  the  way  down. 
The  result  was  pleasing.  A  faint,  weird 
sound  filled  her  little  room,  and,  as  she 
watched  the  setting  sun  and  listened  to  this 
sweet  whispering  of  the  passing  breeze,  she 
composed  many  a  short  song  in  her  artless 
way  and  stored  them  in  her  memory.  The 
facilities  for  a  written  record  of  her  thoughts 
were  scanty,  and  to-day,  though  the  weather 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

was  chilly,  she  sat  by  her  window  and  listened 
to  the  harp  that  all  winter  had  been  silent, 
and  turned  over  and  over  the  blank  pages  of 
the  little  book  Robert  Pearson  had  given 
her.  "  If  I  had  had  such  books  as  these 
some  years  ago,  how  full  they  would  have 
been  now !"  she  said  to  herself;  "  and  I  do 
wonder  if  one  leaf  now  cannot  be  spared ;" 
for  she  longed  to  write  a  real  letter  to  John, 
something  she  had  never  done  in  all  her  life. 
"But  why  is  there  no  music  to-day*?"  she 
asked  aloud,  and  tjien,  looking  more  closely 
at  the  window,  found  the  cord  had  been 
removed,  and  remembered  she  had  taken  it 
to  the  almost  unused  sitting-room  down- 
stairs, and  there  it  had  been  all  winter.  She 
laughed  at  her  discovery,  and  then  took  up 
the  blank-book  again.  Why,  indeed,  she 
thought,  should  she  have  been  taught  to 
more  than  write  her  name,  there  was  so  little 
opportunity  to  make  use  of  the  knowledge. 
It  had  been  a  source  of  drudgery  at  times, 
for  it  had  fallen  upon  her  to  teach  her 
brothers  penmanship,  and  neither  boy  took 

to    such    instruction    willingly.      She    was 
176 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

learning  nothing  of  importance,  and  so,  why 
not  a  single  leaf?  There  was  ever  so  much 
to  tell  John,  and  when,  at  last  willing  to  risk 
it,  she  thought  of  the  ink-horn  locked  in  her 
step-father's  desk  and  no  knife  to  whittle  a 
goose-quill.  "  How  did  Robert  expect  me 
to  write  to  him,  with  my  blood  smeared  on 
the  paper  with  a  stick  *?"  she  said,  aloud,  and 
made  the  little  room  ring.  "  What  a  help- 
less creature  I  am  !  But  it  will  not  be  always 
so."  And  Ruth  went  again  to  the  window  and 
looked  out  over  the  country  for  some  time. 
Then  she  turned  about  and  showed  a  face 
wreathed  in  smiles.  "  How  they'll  stare  and 
start  if  it  works !"  she  exclaimed,  and,  look- 
ing towards  John's  shop,  she  kissed  her  hand 
to  the  smoke  that  rose  from  its  chimney  and 
whispered,  "  Good-by,  dear." 

"  Ruth  dear,"  her  mother  said,  as  her 
daughter  walked  demurely  into  the  kitchen, 
"father  is  concerned  to  have  a  religious 
meeting  held  here  next  Fifth  day,  and  desires 
that  thee  should  know  it." 

"  Brother  told  me  this  morning,  mother ; 
I  suppose  he  overheard  father  speaking  of  it." 

12  177 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  I  do  trust  thee  will  be  present,  and  not 
wander  away,  forgetting  thy  privilege  until 
too  late,"  her  mother  said,  in  such  a  sober 
way  that  it  plainly  showed  she  had  some 
misgivings. 

"Never  fear,  mother  dear,  I'll  be  here." 
And  Ruth  put  her  arms  about  her  mother's 
neck  and  held  her  in  a  tight  embrace. 

When  she  could  get  her  breath,  the 
troubled  woman  said,  "Do,  Ruth,  give  up 
thy  strange  habit.  Thee  is  almost  a  woman 
now,  and  what  will  thy  cousins  think  of 
thee?" 

"  My  cousins  *?     Who,  the  Pearsons  *?" 

"No,  dear,  those  in  England;"  but  the 
words  and  the  thought  were  too  painful  for 
Ruth's  mother,  and  she  leaned  her  head  on 
her  daughter's  shoulder  and  said  no  more. 

"  Please,  mother,  do  not  worry ;  thee 
promised  to  be  cheerful  until  I  started,  and 
this  is  not  keeping  thy  word."  And  Ruth 
kissed  her  parent  again  and  again. 

"But  thee '11  be  at  meeting;  father 
feared—" 

"  Then  father  is  a—" 
178 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Ruth  !" 

"  Is  altogether  mistaken." 

******* 

Ruth  was  busy  all  the  next  day,  and  had 
scarcely  time  to  do  more  than  send  word  to 
John,  without  using  a  sheet  of  her  cousin's 
note-book,  that  she  hoped  nothing  would 
prevent  his  being  present  at  meeting  at  her 
father's  house  on  Fifth  day  morning,  signing 
the  note,  with  no  little  fluttering,  "  Thine, 
Ruth."  For  a  long  time  she  looked  at  those 
two  words,  which  meant  so  much,  so  very 
much  more  than  she  perhaps  realized ;  but 
could  sorrow  follow  the  fulness  of  such  joy 
as  now  possessed  her  *?  She  could  not  believe 
it.  And  then,  looking,  as  usual,  towards 
John's  shop,  she  asked  herself,  When  will 
the  day  come,  and  what  of  the  "  Pearson 
plot,"  as  she  called  the  long  conversation 
with  her  cousin  and  John, — that  "  leap  in 
the  dark,"  what  did  it  mean  *?  But  with  all 
this  strange  medley  of  joy,  doubt,  and  fear, 
she  was  trustful,  and  felt  safe  beyond  all 
harm  in  the  care  of  her  cousin  and  of  John. 

"  Mother,"  asked  Ruth,  "  will  meeting  be 
179 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

held  in  the  west  room  or  in  the  kitchen  or 
in  the  hall,  or  all  of  them  *?" 

"  In  the  west  room,  dear,"  replied  her 
mother,  delighted  that  her  daughter  should 
show  so  much  interest  in  the  matter ;  "  and 
if  that  will  not  accommodate  the  Friends, 
there  will  be  room  in  the  hall." 

"  The  women  Friends  will  sit  in  there, 
then,"  said  Ruth,  pointing  to  the  west  room, 
"  and  the  men  in  the  hall.  I  shall  sit  next 
the  window,  and  if  the  preaching  is  not 
good,  I'll  listen  to  the  birds  on  the  hill-side. 
They  sing  many  a  lesson  we  m  might  well 
take  to  heart.  A  merry  bird  is  the  foe  of 
despondency,  I've  heard  cousin  Robert  say, 
and  I  incline  to  many  of  his  views." 

"  Ruth  dear,  I  fear  thee  is  not  a  Friend 
at  heart ;  surely  John  Bishop,  too,  does  not 
hold  thy  strange  views." 

"  Mother,  if  it  is  strange  or  worldly  or 
wicked  to  love  a  singing  bird,  then  I  am 
wicked  all  over  and  through  and  through. 
How  often  have  I  told  thee  this !  And, 
mother,  when  I  was  a  little  girl  and  came 

into  the  house  with  my  apron  full  of  flowers 
1 80 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

and  threw  them  in  thy  lap,  thee  would  laugh 
and  call  me  a  little  witch,  and  why  should  a 
few  years  make  such  a  difference1?  Why, 
the  day  I  spent  at  the  basket-maker's  by  the 
three  beeches,  and  that  poor  Indian,  '  that 
benighted  soul,'  as  thee  calls  him,  told  me 
about  the  birds  and  beasts  and  where  the 
eagle  had  its  nest  and  the  lynx  its  lair  and 
where  the  rare  flowers  grew  in  the  gloomy 
woods,  I  learned  more  than  ever  in  any 
meeting,  and  been  the  better  ever  since,  for 
I  have  seen  the  world  look  bright  when 
others  might  say  it  was  a  dismal  time  o' 
year.  We 'have  no  right  to  treat  this  beauti- 
ful world  as  beneath  our  notice  because  we 
do  not  understand  it.  That  poor  Indian's 
knowledge  may  not  be  of  such  use  to  him 
as  it  should  be,  and  I  wonder  how  he,  know- 
ing what  he  does,  can  be  willing  to  lie  in  a 
drunken  stupor  so  often ;  but,  mother,  he 
has  made  the  sun  to  shine  more  brightly  for 
me  every  time  I  go  out  of  doors,  and  things 
mean  so  much  more  to  me  now,  and  the 
birds  and  flowers  preach  sermons  that  make 
what  the  Friends  say  seem  very  crude  and 

181 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

harsh.  No,  I  do  not  like  attending  meeting 
as  well  as  a  ramble  in  the  fields  or  over  the 
meadows.  I  can  think  better  there  and 
come  back  more  at  peace  with  myself  and 
the  world  than  when  I  come  from  meeting. 
John  knows  this,  and  while  he  does  not 
quite  approve,  perhaps,  he  has  never  taken 
me  to  task  for  such  worldliness.  Besides, 
mother,"  said  Ruth,  after  a  pause,  and  with 
a  sudden  lighting  of  her  face  and  added 
lustre  to  her  splendid  eyes,  "he  has  never 
had  a  chance  to'  say  much  since."  And 
knowing  that  her  mother  knew  to  what 
time  "  since"  referred,  she  abruptly  stopped 
speaking. 

"  Thee  is  like  thy  father's  people,  Ruth ; 
but  when  thee  is  older  I  trust  there  will  be 
a  sobering  of  thy  views  and  such  a  change 
as  thy  father  experienced.  I  have  tried  very 
hard  to  keep  thee — " 

"  Straight  ?  Well,  mother  dear,  I  have 
only  been  a  little  wavy  at  times,  but  kept  a 
pretty  direct  course.  Don't  thee  know  how 
the  water  bubbles  and  boils  in  the  brooks 

where  there's  a  stone  or  stick  in  the  way? 

182 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

but  it  gets  by  them  and  runs  on  smoothly 
as  before ;  so  I  bubble  and  boil  over  when  I 
meet  with  a  bird  or  a  flower  or  hear  Pear- 
son's pretty  harp  on  the  window-seat,  but  I 
never  leave  the  channel  of  my  life  and  find 
myself  floundering  out  of  my  element ;  so 
in  the  end — well,  mother,  who,  after  all, 
knows  about  the  end  *?  Friend  Bunting  and 
Friend  Stacy  preach  and  pray,  pray  and 
preach,  but,  mother,  do  they  know,  know 
all  about  the  mystery  of  a  human  life? 
Does  thee  suppose  Friend  Bunting  will  be 
preaching  at  me  all  Fifth  day  morning?  If 
so,  I  shall  close  my  ears." 

******* 

Fifth  day  came,  sunny,  warm,  and  with 
that  gentle  westward  breeze  that  has  been 
aptly  called  the  breath  of  spring.  An  hour 
or  more  before  meeting  was  called  the 
Friends  came,  in  carts,  on  horseback,  and  on 
foot.  They  gathered  in  little  knots  about 
Matthew  Watson's  yard,  and  Matthew  him- 
self was  in  his  element.  Never  had  he  been 
so  satisfied  with  the  world  and  with  himself. 
He  was  a  central  figure  to-day,  and  never 
183 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

were  religious  phrases  so  glibly  rolled  from 
his  tongue ;  for,  if  worked  up  to  something 
near  the  fever  heat,  Matthew  could  talk 
easily  and  well,  and  after  painful  preparation 
had,  at  times,  become  eloquent.  Robert 
Pearson  had  been  wicked  enough  to  say  that 
Matthew's  memory  was  remarkable,  and  the 
sermons  preached  in  Philadelphia  had  been 
carried  without  damage  to  the  Crosswicks 
Valley ;  but  then  Robert  was  of  the  world, 
worldly,  the  Friends  insisted. 

At  the  appointed  hour,  ten  o'clock,  the 
Friends  had  gathered  in  the  house  and  were 
seated  as  Ruth  wished.  A  dozen  women  in 
the  west  room  and  perhaps  as  many  men 
in  the  room  and  hall,  the  door  being  open 
and  the  seats  so  arranged  about  it  that  words 
spoken  in  one  room  could  be  heard  in  the 
other.  Ruth  entered  late,  and  never  had  she 
appeared  to  greater  advantage.  Her  hair 
was  not  held  in  much  restraint ;  as  was  then 
the  fashion,  matted  to  the  temples  like  so 
many  square  inches  of  yellow  canvas,  such 
as  samplers  were  worked  upon.  Her  clear 

skin  was  well  set  off  by  the  roses  in  her 
184 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

cheeks,  and  no  Friend  had  yet  dared  to  preach 
against  them.  There  was  the  look  of  love 
in  her  eyes,  meant  only  for  her  mother  and 
John,  it  may  be,  but  shedding  a  light  over 
all,  and  so  appropriated  by  every  one.  The 
few  young  Friends  present  could  not  wholly 
keep  their  eyes  from  her,  for,  being  at  home, 
she  wore  no  bonnet.  These  young  Friends 
were  not  envious, — it  would  be  unfair  to  say 
that, — but  during  the  silence  they  timidly 
wondered  why  Ruth  was  so  different  from 
all  others. 

Ruth  sat  at  the  west  end  of  the  room,  as 
she  had  told  her  mother  she  would,  and  when 
all  was  still  again,  for  every  one  moved 
slightly  when  she  appeared,  she  picked  up  a 
little  silk  shawl  that  was  lying  on  the  window 
sill,  threw  it  over  her  shoulder  as  if  to  ward 
off  a  draught,  and  then  put  it  back.  The 
whole  movement  was  so  natural  and  so  rapid 
as  to  be  scarcely  noticed  even  by  those 
nearest  her. 

A  long  silence  followed,  and  then,  as  Ruth 
supposed,  Friend  Bunting  arose,  and  remov- 
ing her  bonnet,  said,  in  that  "preaching" 

IS; 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

voice  that  cannot  be  imitated, "  Whose  adorn- 
ing, let  it  not  be  that  outward  adorning,  of 
plaiting  the  hair,  and  of  wearing  of  gold,  and 
of  putting  on  of  apparel." 

At  this  Ruth  looked  at  the  speaker  with 
a  little  flash  of  indignation  in  her  eyes,  and, 
without  perceptible  movement  of  her  arm, 
removed  the  shawl  from  the  window-seat, 
and  before  the  preacher  had  gotten  farther 
in  her  text  than  "  but  let  it  be,"  the  kindly 
breeze  swept  over  the  hidden  cord  and  the 
little  room  was  filled  with  sweetest  melody. 

Never  before  had  a  text  received  such  a 
reception,  and  whatever  was  in  Friend  Bunt- 
ing's mind  was  now  beyond  recall.  She  sat 
down  and  replaced  her  bonnet,  as  if  she 
would  hide  herself  from  those  gathered  about 
her. 

That  every  one  present  should  look  up  in 
a  bewildered  way  was  not  surprising,  but  why 
stare  at  Ruth !  It  was  too  sweet  a  sound 
for  any  human  voice,  and  yet  some  of  the 
gathered  Friends  thought  of  her  habit  of 
singing,  and  wondered  if  this  strange  music 
too  was  one  of  her  accomplishments.  The 

186 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

meeting  did  not  break  up.  The  disturbing, 
unearthly  sounds  ceased  as  quickly  as  it 
started ;  and  after  a  few  minutes'  silence, 
Matthew  Watson,  without  text,  spoke  of  the 
responsibility  of  parents ;  of  the  trials  of 
godly  parents  when  their  children  were  re- 
bellious— but  Ruth's  patience  was  soon  ex- 
hausted. Again  the  little  shawl,  that  had 
been  carelessly  thrown  down,  was  removed, 
and,  as  if  the  winds  were  at  her  command,  a 
steadier  breeze  set  the  cord  in  motion,  and 
the  weird  sound,  loud  and  clear  as  a  trumpet, 
swept  through  the  room.  Matthew  stopped 
and  stared,  then  sat  down  as  abruptly  as  had 
Friend  Bunting,  and  as  he  did  so  the  sound 
ceased. 

All  the  while  John  Bishop  had  been  sitting 
by  the  open  door,  where  he  could  see  Ruth 
plainly,  and  not  the  slightest  motion  of  her 
head  or  hands  had  escaped  him.  He  alone 
had  guessed  the  truth,  for  he  was  familiar 
with  the  Pearson  harp.  Now  was  revealed 
to  him  a  daring  on  Ruth's  part  that  surprised 
him.  He  could  not  approve,  yet  could  no 
more  condemn.  He  had  never  ventured 
187 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

before  to  speak  in  a  religious  meeting,  but 
free-spoken  when  matters  of  business  were 
under  discussion.  To-day,  all  was  different. 
It  was  a  gathering,  too,  at  a  private  house. 
There  was  no  reason  why  he  should  not  add 
his  testimony.  After  a  moment's  pause  he 
rose  from  his  chair  and  said,  "  Parents,  pro- 
voke not  your  children  unto  wrath."  The 
elders,  sitting  in  another  room,  had  not  seen 
him  rise,  and  before  the  last  of  the  few  words 
had  been  uttered  those  that  faced  the  little 
company  had  shaken  hands  and  the  meeting 
was  over. 


188 


Chapter  XVI. 
The  Departure  of  Ruth. 

THE  day  of  Ruth's  departure  came  at  last, 
and  she,  knowing  how  full  of  events  the  next 
few  days  were  likely  to  be,  woman-like,  was 
more  eager  to  be  off  than  distressed  at  the 
thought  of  leaving  home.  'She  knew,  of 
course,  far  more  than  did  her  neighbors,  but 
they,  in  their  ignorance,  attributed  her  *'  heart- 
lessness"  to  that  general  strangeness  that  had 
marked  all  her  career ;  and  as  John  Bishop 
did  not  go  about  with  a  long  face,  it  was 
supposed  the  engagement  that  had  been 
rumored  had  been  broken.  "  Poor  John," 
his  neighbors  said  among  themselves,  "  to  be 
carried  away  by  a  pretty  face,  but  with 
nothing  behind  it."  These  comments  may 
or  may  not  have  come  to  John's  ears,  but 
he  made  no  sign.  However  much  he  might 
have  liked  to  let  the  world  know  the  truth, 
it  was  his  part  to  remain  silent ;  and  while 
189 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

Robert  Pearson  was  very  active  and  continu- 
ally coming  and  going  to  and  from  John's 
shop,  Matthew  Watson's  house,  and  the  land- 
ing where  the  boat  was  being  made  ready  for 
the  first  trip  of  the  season,  John  was  passive. 
There  was  an  abundance  of  work  to  be  done, 
and  he  and  his  helpers  were  busy  all  day 
long,  and  he  worked  the  harder,  so  his  neigh- 
bor's thought,  that  he  might  drown  the  dis- 
appointment he  had  suffered.  To  think  that 
Ruth  Davenport  had  dared  to  trifle  with  so 
good  a  man ;  to  accept  him  as  her  lover,  it 
might  be  said,  when  she  was  poor,  and  then, 
finding  herself  an  heiress,  coolly  going  away, 
without  a  trace  of  regret.  "  It  must  weigh 
heavily  upon  her  poor  mother  to  have  so 
heartless  a  child,"  was  the  common  verdict 
all  over  Chesterfield  and  Nottingham.  Little 
wonder  at  this,  for  the  children  of  the  town- 
ship suffered  terribly  when  a  comparison  was 
drawn.  Healthy,  good-looking  children,  and 
all  that,  but  Ruth  was  rarely  beautiful. 

Ruth  had  failed  almost  entirely  to  learn 
the  details  of  her  step-father's  plans,  and  not 

until  two  days  before  his  boat  was  to  start 
190 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

for  Philadelphia  did  she  positively  learn 
whether  the  voyage  was  to  commence  at 
Watson's  landing  or  she  was  to  go  on  board 
at  Bordentown  and  so  escape  a  wearisome 
day  on  the  creek,  where,  indeed,  she  might 
have  to  remain  all  night  if  wind  and  tide 
did  not  suit  when  the  mouth  of  the  creek 
was  reached. 

Ruth's  mother  began,  at  the  very  last,  to 
realize  how  crudely  planned  was  the  whole 
matter  and  how  little  Ruth's  comfort  had 
been  considered.  Was  it  to  save  Matthew 
a  little  trouble  or  expense?  She  began  to 
fear  the  truth  of  this  and  rebelled,  and  was 
the  more  firm  in  the  stand  she  took  after  a 
long  conference  with  Robert  Pearson,  who 
urged  that  Ruth  should  not  go  by  the  boat 
at  all ;  but,  if  necessary,  then  let  her  go 
aboard  at  Bordentown,  and  so  be  as  little 
time  as  possible  on  the  cramped  shallop  that 
could  afford  almost  no  privacy  and  but 
meagre  shelter  if  it  was  stormy.  And  so, 
though  Matthew  demurred  and  rudely  re- 
sented Robert's  interference,  it  was  determined 

that  Ruth  should  go  in  her  cousin's  wagon, 
191 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

the  only  pretentious  vehicle  in  the  township, 
and  not  at  all  comfortable,  but  better  than 
the  boat,  and  he  would  himself  see  her 
safely  on  board.  Her  few  personal  effects 
had  been  packed  in  the  old  chest,  and  the 
morning  that  it  was  to  be  placed  on  board 
the  shallop,  to  the  surprise  of  every  one, 
Robert  brought  her  two  new  oaken  chests 
with  stout  iron  clasps. 

"  Her  clothes  are  already  packed  in  one 
chest  that  I  have  given  her,"  remarked  Mat- 
thew Watson,  inipatiently,  "and  there  was 
no  use  of  this  at  all.  Has  not  John  enough 
to  do  not  to  concern  himself  in  such  mat- 
ters ?  Am  I  not  charged  with  her  welfare 
and  the  proper  one  to  see  her  safely  on  her 
journey*?  She  has  weighed  heavily  upon 
me  of  late,  and  .will,  it  seems,  to  the  end." 

"  It  was  an  act  of  kindness  on  John's 
part,"  his  wife  replied,  gently. 

"  It  would  be  more  of  one  to  have  done 
nothing  of  the  kind." 

"  The  new  chests  are  stronger  than  the 
old,  but  one  of  them  is  large  enough  for 

what  Ruth  needs  to  take.     The  old  one  is 

192 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

not  full.  I  do  not  think  it  will  take  long  to 
make  the  change,"  said  Mrs.  Watson,  in  the 
same  quiet  way ;  "  but  here  comes  Ruth  and 
she  can  judge." 

"  Yes,  she  can  judge,  so  thee  has  always 
thought,  and  we  have  been  led  astray  con- 
tinually by  allowing  her  to  judge,  where  we 
should  have  done  so  for  her.  Thee  has 
humored  Ruth  from  her  youth  up,  and  so 
brought  many  a  concern  upon  us,"  con- 
tinued her  husband,  his  impatience  more  and 
more  pronounced. 

"  Well,  father,  the  days  of  thy  trials,  so 
far  as  I  am  concerned,  will  very  soon  be 
over,  so  try  to  have  a  little  more  patience, 
and  don't  blame  mother  when  I  only  am  at 
fault.  What  are  these  ?"  And  Ruth  looked 
and  pointed  at  the  two  chests. 

"  Ruth  dear,  John  has  sent  them  to  thee 
for  thy  journey." 

"  How  nice  in  him,  when  I  said  I  did  not 
need  them !  Thee  knows  I  changed  my 
mind  when  we  talked  the  matter  over." 

"  Talked  the  matter  over  *?"  repeated  Mat- 
thew, in  a  surprised  manner. 
'3  193 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Yes,  it  was  a  whim  of  mine,  but  I  after- 
wards thought  otherwise ;  but  John,  it  seems, 
did  not.  Come,  mother,  let's  out  of  the  old 
and  into  the  new.  One  will  do  for  me,  and 
thee  keep  the  other  for  linen." 

Matthew  seeing,  as  usual,  that  he  was 
wholly  ignored  by  Ruth,  and  that  his  words 
would  fall  in  all  likelihood  on  deaf  ears, 
turned  away  with  some  low  muttered  words 
that  neither  woman  heard,  and  in  a  short 
time  after  they  were  left  to  themselves  the 
unpacking  and  repacking  was  accomplished. 
Then  Ruth  said,  "  Now,  mother,  let  me  be 
alone  here  in  my  little  room  awhile.  I  go 
to-morrow,  thee  knows,  and  I  would  be 
alone ;  but,  mother  dear,  I  will  join  thee 
very  soon,  and  then — "  But  Ruth's  emo- 
tions overcame  her,  and,  resting  her  head  on 
her  mother's  shoulder,  she  wept  bitterly. 

How  few  in  that  community  knew  what 
a  trying  ordeal  was  hers,  and  how  bravely 
she  was  passing  through  it !  But  when,  an 
hour  later,  she  left  her  room,  it  was  to  greet 
her  mother  with  the  old-time  winning  smiles, 

and  as  she  sat,  as  she  had  so  often  done,  at 
194 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

her  feet,  she  sang,  in  her  own  sweet,  peculiar 
way  a  few  stanzas  that  seemed  fitting  to  the 
occasion  and  then  a  long,  unbroken  silence 
ensued. 

Mother  and  daughter  were  alike  oblivious 
to  Matthew  Watson's  presence,  and  he  would 
surely  have  interrupted  Ruth  had  he  dared, 
when  she  was  singing.  As  it  was,  his  subse- 
quent scolding  about  the  scandal  brought 
upon  him  and  his  house  by  Ruth's  conduct 
was  spent  upon  his  patient  wife. 

#**#### 

The  parting  was  a  painful  one,  and  many 
were  the  neighbors  that  gathered  at  the 
Watson  house  when,  seated  in  her  cousin 
Robert's  wagon,  she  commenced  her  long 
journey.  Many  a  neighbor,  critical  as  they 
had  been  in  times  past,  shed  an  honest  tear 
as  she  passed  down  the  winding  lane  and 
was  gone. 

Matthew  Watson  looked  more  stern  and 
forbidding  than  ever,  and  was  indisposed  to 
converse  with  any  one.  The  truth  was,  he 
had  been  baffled  at  many  points  and  his 
importance  lessened,  he  feared,  even  in  his 
'95 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

own  house.  At  least  in  some  particular  he 
would  have  his  own  way,  and,  without  in- 
forming his  wife,  who  had  denied  herself 
that  day  to  every  caller,  he  returned  the  un- 
used chest  that  John  Bishop  had  made. 

Ruth's  ride  to  Bordentown  was  uneventful. 
The  road  was  terrible,  a  mere  mass  of  mud 
and  tree-stumps  that  threatened  disaster  at 
every  turn  of  the  wheels.  She  and  her 
cousin  talked  at  a  lively  pace  on  every  sub- 
ject but  that  which  most  nearly  concerned 
her.  No  allusion  was  made  to  the  journey, 
but  when  the  village  was  reached,  Robert 
made  haste  to  learn  if  the  Watson  boat  had 
reached  the  mouth  of  the  creek.  It  had  not, 
and  the  time  was  spent  in  a  call  upon  friends 
with  whom  they  were  both  acquainted.  It 
was  late  in  the  day  when  the  boat  reached 
the  little  wharf  and  the  cabin  inspected  by 
Robert,  who  expressed  surprise  that  Matthew 
had  even  done  as  much  as  appeared.  Ruth 
could  be  alone,  but  in  such  cramped  quarters, 
Robert  charged  her  never  to  stay  in  the  place 
long,  or  she  could  never  straighten  out  again. 

The  crew  were  charged  to  look  after  Ruth's 
196 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

comfort  above  all  else,  and  then  the  moment 
for  the  second  parting  came.  Ruth  held  her 
cousin's  hand  for  a  moment  as  they  stood  on 
the  little  deck  of  the  shallop,  and  then  turned 
her  face  upward  as  if  expecting  to  be  kissed. 
He  bent  his  head  down,  but  only  to  whisper 
a  few  words,  and  slipped  a  folded  bit  of  paper 
into  her  other  hand.  Then  he  turned  away 
abruptly  and  left  her,  and  Ruth,  glancing  at 
the  wide  expanse  of  water  as  if  it  were  a 
farewell  look,  went  into  the  cabin. 

The  light  was  fast  fading  as  she  unfolded 
the  crumpled  bit  of  paper  and  read,  "  When 
the  owl  hoots  thrice  in  quick  succession,  go 
on  deck  to  the  rudder-post,  and  if  any  at- 
tempt is  made  to  stop  you,  take  a  leap  in 
the  dark.  They  will  not  start  until  after 
midnight.  William  Blake  will  be  on  board." 
Ruth  shuddered  as  she  read  these  words,  and 
her  strength  was  well-nigh  gone.  Her  only 
source  of  comfort  was  in  crying,  and  this  she 
did.  She  gave  way  to  her  feelings  freely 
yet  without  attracting  attention.  She  had 
reached  a  crisis  in  her  life,  and  could  she 

meet  it*?     Why  had  she  not  fought  for  her 

197 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

right  to  remain  *?  Why  had  not  John  mar- 
ried her,  even  if  out  of  meeting?  Why 
was  her  cousin  Robert  willing  she  should  go  ? 
What  was  a  fortune  in  England  and  all  her 
friends  in  this  country  ?  These  and  a  score 
of  other  questions  she  asked,  forgetting  that 
she  was  really  not  going  away. 

It  was  fortunate  for  her  that  she  gave  way 
to  her  feelings  as  she  did.  It  was  the  passing 
shower  that  makes  the  world  clearer  and 
brighter  than  before,  and  she  lay  down  for  a 
short  nap,  knowing  that  through  the  night 
she  must  be  widely  awake  and  quick  to 
catch  the  signal,  *'  when  the  owl  hoots  thrice 
in  quick  succession." 


198 


Chapter  XVII. 
A  Night  on  the  Creek. 

JOHN  BISHOP  worked  in  his  shop  as  usual 
the  morning  that  Ruth  left  her  step-father's 
house  with  Robert  Pearson ;  and  not  for  an 
instant  did  he  give  a  look  or  utter  a  word 
indicative  of  his  busy  thoughts.  To  the 
world  he  appeared  resigned,  giving  heed  to 
that  inward  voice  that  was  reproving  him  for 
his  errors  in  regard  to  Ruth,  so  Friend  Bunt- 
ing thought ;  for  after  failing  to  see  Ruth's 
mother,  she  had  called  at  the  shop,  with  the 
flimsiest  of  excuses  on  her  lips  and  her  real 
purpose  showing  clearly  in  her  every  word 
and  action.  All  went  well  for  a  while,  and 
John  did  not  lose  his  temper,  but  as  the  day 
drew  to  a  close,  he  was  finally  roused  to  a 
pitch  of  excitement,  and  told  his  hired  men 
he  would  close  the  shop  early  and  they 

might  go.     He  felt  that  he  must  be  alone 
199 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

after  he  saw  the  chest  that  he  had  made 
brought  back  by  Matthew  Watson's  boys. 

"  Did  your  father  send  this  back  *?" 

"Yes,  he  told  us  to  bring  it.  Mother 
was  up-stairs  when  we  came,  but  I  guess  she 
knows  too.  Sister  Ruth  hadn't  enough  to 
put  in  both,  and  father  said  thee  might  find 
some  one  who  wanted  this,  and  what  was  the 
charge  for  the  one  sister  took  *?" 

John  bit  his  lip  to  keep  from  laughing, 
and  quite  forgot  the  two  lads  that  stood 
wondering  and  waiting  for  an  answer.  Fi- 
nally coming  back  from  the  world  of  day- 
dreams to  this  more  prosy  one,  he  said,  "  Tell 
your  father,  boys,  that  Ruth  paid  for  them 
both,  but  I  will  keep  this  one  for  the  present." 
The  boys  left  without  delay,  and  John  again 
said  to  his  helpers  he  would  close  the  shop 
and  they  might  go.  "  I  have  some  accounts 
to  cast  up  and  such  work,  and  will  be  some 
time."  The  men  left,  wondering  what  had 
happened,  and,  knowing  a  little  and  thinking 
they  knew  a  great  deal  more,  drew  their  own 
conclusions. 

John  had  not  told  a  white  lie.     He  did 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

have  a  rude  account-book  with  him,  and 
when  alone  he  trimmed  a  quill,  and,  opening 
the  ink-horn,  wrote  and  figured  for  some 
time.  Then  going  to  the  shop  door,  he 
looked  up  and  down  the  road,  and,  neither 
seeing  nor  hearing  any  one,  he  came  back, 
laid  a  broad  board  against  the  little  window 
by  the  forge,  and  took  hold  of  the  handles 
at  the  ends  of  the  little  chest.  Its  weight 
surprised  him,  for  surely  it  was  not  that 
heavy  when  he  sent  it  to  Ruth.  He  tried 
the  lid,  but  found  it  locked.  He  looked 
and  frowned  and  puzzled  over  it,  and  then, 
hurriedly  searching  through  a  box  of  old 
keys,  he  tried  one  after  another  until  a  fitting 
one  was  found.  The  bolt  turned ;  he  raised 
the  lid  and  there  saw,  carefully  folded,  one 
of  Ruth's  dresses,  and  clothing  was  beneath 
it  to  the  bottom  of  the  chest.  What  did  it 
mean  *?  Then  he  saw,  pinned  to  the  upper- 
most fold  of  the  dress,  the  little  note-book 
Robert  Pearson  had  given  her.  This  he 
took  so  eagerly  that  he  endangered  both  it 
and  the  dress,  and  found  on  its  first  page 
a  message  from  her,  the  second  he  had  ever 

201 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

received.  It  ran  as  follows:  Dear  John, — 
/  am  playing  a  part  now  that  I  was  not  told 
to  do.  Father  will  surely  send  back  the  other 
chest,  so  I  have  filled  the  one  that  goes  to  the 
boat  with  rubbish,  and  hope  my  other  will  safely 
reach  you  before  I  need  its  contents.  Can  thee 
not  send  it  to  cousin  Pearson's?  I  have  not 
time  to  add  any  loving  words,  and  why  should 
I?  unless  cousin  is  over-confident.  Let  us  hope 
not. — Ruth. 

John  read  the  note  over  and  over  again ; 
then  closing  the  little  book,  he  arranged  his 
dress,  putting  on'  an  outer  coat,  and  from 
behind  a  pile  of  oak  and  ash  strips  that  were 
used  in  his  work  took  a  stout  hickory  cane. 
Then,  stepping  out,  he  carefully  locked  the 
doors  and  turned  towards  Crosswicks  Creek. 
It  was  not  as  dark  as  he  wished,  but  he 
looked  at  the  sky  and  saw  with  evident  satis- 
faction that  the  night  bid  fair  to  be  cloudy 
before  very  long.  Avoiding  the  highway 
where  bounded  by  open  fields,  John  walked 
rapidly,  swinging  the  stout  cane  and  at  times 
striking  viciously  at  the  twigs  that  crossed 
his  path.  At  heart  John  was  a  Quaker,  no 


202 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

one  could  doubt  this,  but  to-night  he  was 
one  of  the  fighting  type, — and  they  are 
everywhere, — if  we  judged  by  his  actions. 
Instead  of  a  hat,  broad-brimmed  and  high- 
crowned,  he  wore  a  closely-fitting  fur  cap, 
and  his  outer  coat  was  so  closely  buttoned 
that  his  general  appearance  was  much  altered. 
An  intimate  friend  might  meet  him  in  the 
dim  light  and  be  in  doubt  as  to  his  identity. 

The  path  that  John  had  taken  was  well 
known  to  him,  and  he  made  rapid  progress, 
and,  as  the  distance  between  the  shop  and 
Bordentown  was  but  five  miles,  he  was  by 
no  means  fatigued  when  he  reached  the  out- 
skirts of  the  village.  Then  he  sat  down  to 
rest  and  to  wait,  for  he  was  ahead  of  time 
and  had  abundant  leisure  for  the  supper  he 
had  brought  with  him. 

"  This  is  a  strange  affair,  and  not  till  now 
have  I  realized  what  Friend  Pearson's  cun- 
ning scheming  means,"  John  said  to  him- 
self as  he  sat  in  the  retired  woods,  shielded 
from  every  observer  who  might  pass  near 
by ;  but  people  were  not  likely  to  be  abroad 

at  such  a  time,  and  there  were  no  roving 

203 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

bands  of  Indians  about  that  he  had  heard 
of. 

The  little  peeping  frogs  in  the  far-off 
marshes  were  whistling  and  clicking  merrily, 
and  as  the  breeze  bore  this  strange  sound 
nearer  and  then  carried  it  away  until  almost 
unheard,  so  John's  hopes  and  fears  came  and 
went.  Not  cowardice  at  the  possible  danger 
to  himself  of  carrying  out  his  plans,  but 
lest  for  reasons  beyond  his  control  they 
might  not  succeed.  Then  the  flood-tide  of 
his  love  for  Ruth  would  sweep  over  him,  and 
he  was  ready  to  meet  the  world  on  any 
terms.  What  though  the  meeting  should 
question  the  stand  that  he  had  taken  *?  He 
knew  that  the  truth  could  be  preached  from 
the  hill-tops  without  reflection  upon  her  or 
upon  himself,  and  the  murmured  slander,  the 
meaning  look,  the  hint,  suspicion  on  the  part 
of  his  nearest  friends, — all  this  he  must  meet, 
it  may  be,  but  with  Ruth  by  his  side  he 
would  have  strength  to  do  it.  "  But,"  con- 
tinued John,  musing,  "  there  must  not  come 
an  ugly  word  directly  to  my  ears."  And  the 

Friends'  principle  of  non-resistance  and  long 
204 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

suffering  sank  into  the  background.  "I 
should  regret  the  necessity  but  not  the  nature 
of  the  step,"  John  said  to  himself,  with  a 
fixedness  of  purpose  ringing  in  every  word ; 
and  then,  leaving  his  resting-place,  he  turned 
at  right  angles  to  the  path  he  had  been  fol- 
lowing, and,  pushing  through  a  weedy  tangle 
of  vines,  dwarfed  shrubbery,  and  sprouting 
weeds,  he  came  in  a  few  moments  to  the 
bank  of  the  creek,  and  found,  as  he  expected, 
a  large  canoe  with  three  paddles  moored 
near  the  muddy  shore. 

"  He  said  I  would  find  what  I  wanted  at 
the  boat,"  John  muttered  to  himself;  and 
stealthily  and  silently  as  an  Indian  on  the 
war-path — here  we  have  a  professed  Friend 
as  one — he  cut  a  long,  slender  switch,  but 
not  too  yielding,  as  he  held  it  at  full  length 
over  the  water.  Withdrawing  it,  he  laid  it 
lengthwise  in  the  canoe,  and  using  his  outer 
coat,  which  he  had  taken  off,  as  a  shield, 
he  struck  fire  from  his  flint,  kindled  a  bit  of 
tinder,  and  then  lit  a  small  lantern,  which  he 
securely  tied  to  the  tapering  end  of  the  long 

pole.      This  he    covered  carefully  with  his 
.205 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

coat.  u  If  it  doesn't  go  out  or  burn  out  I 
shall  be  thankful,  and  it  will  be  the  only 
time  it  was  of  any  use,"  John  said  to  him- 
self, so  cheerfully  that  doubtless  he  was 
smiling  when  he  spoke.  It  was  a  plan  of 
Robert  Pearson's  that  John  classed  among 
the  over-confidences  of  the  plan  as  a  whole. 
"  And  now  for  the  seat  of  war,"  continued 
John,  almost  audibly, — a  queer  phase  for  a 
Friend's  mouth.  And  with  the  skill  of  the  In- 
dian who  had  taught  him  to  paddle  a  canoe 
he  shot  out  into  the  stream  and  headed  for 
Bordentown.  Every  moment  it  was  grow- 
ing darker,  and  if  there  were  other  people 
abroad  at  this  time  in  boats,  John  thought 
how  readily  an  accident  might  happen. 
Frequently  he  stopped  to  listen,  but  only  the 
chatter  of  the  peeping  frogs  or  the  swirl  of 
the  rapid  waters  as  the  incoming  tide  swept 
about  stranded  tree-trunks  was  heard.  Then 
on  and  on,  guided  by  the  little  light  that 
filtered  through  the  clouds,  he  at  last  saw 
a  dull  red  light  gleaming  fitfully  near  the 
water's  surface,  and  he  knew  that  the  Watson 

boat,  with  Ruth  on  board,  was  near.     John 
206 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

paddled  more  cautiously  now,  and  when  the 
boat  was  but  a  hundred  yards  distant  as  he 
judged,  he  placed  a  twisted  bit  of  birch  bark 
to  his  mouth  and  sent  the  eagle-owl's  hollow 
cry  down  the  valley  of  the  creek, — Hoo 
boo  hoo,  hoo  hoo !  and  then  urged  the 
canoe  ahead  with  rapid  but  silent  strokes. 
Again  he  sounded  the  same  wild  cry,  and 
now  the  boat  was  very  near.  He  thought 
he  could  see  the  mast,  and  for  the  third  time, 
though  not  so  loudly,  sounded  the  owl-cry 
signal.  The  boat  was  now  reached,  and  John, 
with  skilled  hand,  held  the  canoe  astern  with 
the  paddle. 

By  standing  he  could  dimly  see  the  full 
sweep  of  the  deck,  and  knew,  if  Ruth  appeared, 
he  could  follow  her  movements.  Would 
she  never  come"?  No  one  can  count  the 
seconds  of  an  anxious  minute.  Was  she 
asleep  *?  Hark !  he  saw  a  crouching  figure 
coming  towards  the  canoe.  It  was  she ! 
Reaching  the  rudder-post,  she  whispered, 
"  Cousin  Robert." 

"  Not  Robert,  but  John." 

"  John  !     Oh  !  why  did  thee  come  *?" 
207 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Step  over  the  rail  and  let  me  help  thee. 
Quick  ;  step  anywhere  !" 

"  But,  John." 

"  Step  quick ;  they're  coming."  And  Ruth 
was  as  much  drawn  over  the  boat's  stern  as 
she  moved  by  her  own  volition ;  and  when 
her  hands  loosened  their  hold  on  her  step- 
father's boat,  she  sank  helplessly  into  the 
bottom  of  the  canoe. 

"  Courage,  dear,"  whispered  John  ;  "  do  not 
give  way  now,  or  all  may  be  lost."  But  his 
words  were  lost  upon  Ruth. 

"  Who's  there  ?"  sounded  a  rough  voice, 
and  the  boat's  light  was  held  up  as  if  to  cast 
a  glow  upon  the  water. 

.  John  made  no  reply,  but  with  a  powerful 
stroke  of  the  paddle  made  towards  shore. 

"  Speak,  or  I'll  shoot !"  cried  the  same 
rough  voice. 

"  Then  you  may  shoot  a  woman,"  John 
replied  in  an  unnatural  voice ;  and  lifting 
the  pole  carefully,  the  coat  fell  from  it,  and 
to  his  inexpressible  thankfulness  the  little  lan- 
tern showed  a  gleam  of  light.  Steadying 
the  canoe,  he  held  it  out  at  arm's  length, 

203 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

away  from  them,  and  said  to  Ruth,  who  had 
given  some  evidence  of  consciousness,  "  If 
they  do  shoot,  this  light  will  deceive  them." 
But  the  canoe  was  drifting,  and  this  would 
never  do.  John  dropped  the  pole  and  pad- 
dled vigorously,  but  so  quietly  that  he  heard 
the  voices  of  those  on  board  the  Watson 
boat,  and  above  all  else  recognized  William 
Blake's  voice,  bemoaning  that  "Ruth  had 
gone ;  her  cabin  was  empty." 

A  flush  of  fiery  indignation  thrilled  him 
as  he  heard  these  words,  but  there  was  no 
time  now  for  other  than  his  single  duty. 
Ruth  was  rescued,  but  not  yet  ashore.  Care- 
fully guiding  the  canoe,  which  he  found  was 
not  followed,  John  paddled  as  swiftly  as  he 
dare,  but  kept  near  the  shore  until  he  had 
made  considerable  headway,  when  he  turned 
to  the  channel  as  a  safer  course,  and  pro- 
ceeded homeward. 

The  danger  was  over,  and  now  again  he 
spoke  to  Ruth,  and  assured  her  that  all  was 
well. 

"  Oh  John,"  she  sobbed,  "  if  it  had  been 

Cousin  Robert !" 

14  209 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  And  why  not  I  as  well  *?  Friend  Pear- 
son could  not  manage  a  canoe." 

"  But,  John,  alone,  here." 

The  meaning  of  her  words  flashed  across 
John's  mind,  and  he  was  dumb.  Could  the 
world  be  so  cruel  ?  he  thought.  "  Speak, 
Ruth,  speak  to  me ;  it  was  the  only  way  to 
thwart  thy  father's  plans  and  save  thee  from 
a  worse  fate  perhaps  than  the  breath  of  scan- 
dal. Does  thee  put  no  trust  in  me  *?" 

John's  pleading  brought  Ruth  to  her  better 
senses. 

"  Trust  thee,  dear ;  who  then,  John,  might 
I  trust  ?  To  thee  and  Cousin  Robert  I  owe 
my  life." 

"  And  thee  shall  be  in  thy  cousin's  charge 
before  thee  thinks,"  replied  John,  cheerily. 
"  Put  on  my  outer  coat  that  I  brought  thee,  if 
thee  can  without  much  moving,  for  the  night 
is  chilly ;  but  don't  upset  us."  And  John 
spoke  in  a  way  that  was  for  the  first  time 
that  day  wholly  natural. 

"  I  think  I  have  been  pretty  well  upset 
already,"  replied  Ruth  ;  and  hearing  her  words, 
free  from  all  trace  of  fear  or  feeling  of  shame, 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

John  laughed  in  a  quiet  way  that  was  not 
lost  upon  Ruth.  They  were  again  their 
natural  selves,  and  so  happy  beyond  measure. 

"  Here  are  the  Swan  Island  flood-gates," 
exclaimed  John.  "  Hark  !" 

A  long,  low  whistle  was  heard,  as  though 
a  dreaming  red-bird  had  announced  the  dawn, 
and  John  replied,  again  imitating  the  eagle- 
owl.  The  canoe  was  headed  in  shore,  and 
scarcely  had  its  bottom  grated  on  the  sandy 
shore  than  Ruth  rose,  but  to  fall,  almost 
a-faint,  in  the  arms  of  her  cousin  Robert. 

No  time  was  lost.  The  canoe  was  quickly 
anchored;  and  Robert,  John,  and  Ruth, 
seated  in  the  wagon,  were  on  their  way  to 
Pearson's.  The  horse  was  urged  to  the  limit 
of  its  strength,  and  before  cock-crow  Robert 
Pearson's  anxious  wife  had  seen  Ruth  safely 
at  rest. 


211 


Chapter  XVIII. 

Robert  defies  Matthew. 

WILD  stories  of  pirates,  robbery,  and  ab- 
duction were  soon  rife  about  Bordentown, 
and  fearful  tales  as  carried  from  one  to  an- 
other soon  reached  Matthew  Watson.  His 
boat  had  been  destroyed,  the  crew  lashed  to 
the  deck,  and  Ruth  carried  away ;  and  then, 
quickly  following  these  harrowing  details, 
came  a  more  nearly  correct  version  of  the 
incident.  No  one  was  injured,  no  property 
taken  or  destroyed,  but  Ruth  had  disappeared. 
There  had  been  no  outcry,  no  call  for  help, 
the  crew  were  asleep,  and  everything  pointed 
to  its  having  been  a  voluntary  act  on  the 
girl's  part,  but  with  whom  was  she  in  col- 
lusion? Well,  Matthew  could  not  say  he 
was  surprised,  much  as  he  regretted  it.  The 
affair  cast  a  shadow  upon  him  as  her  natural 
guardian,  but  he  had  done  his  whole  duty  for 
sixteen  years,  and  should  submit  his  version 


212 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

of  the  matter  to  the  meeting.  But  with 
whom  could  she  have  gone?  Not  with 
John  Bishop,  for  he  was  at  his  shop  until 
late  that  day,  and  again,  cheerful  and  uncon- 
cerned, early  the  next  morning.  Had  Rob- 
ert Pearson  seen  any  suspicious  conditions 
when  he  saw  Ruth  on  board  the  shallop? 
Matthew  Watson  asked  himself  this  ques- 
tion, and  determined  that  he  would  repeat  it 
to  Robert  and  press  him  for  an  answer ;  then, 
too,  it  was  her  cousin  who  had  taken  her  in 
his  cart  to  Bordentown,  and  so  the  last  to 
talk  with  her. 

Sympathizing  friends  soon  gathered  about 
Ruth's  afflicted  mother,  and,  leaving  her  to 
their  care,  Matthew  hurried  to  the  Pearson 
house,  acting  so  well  the  part  of  an  anxious 
parent  that  he  favorably  impressed  every  one 
whom  he  met.  He  was  glad  to  find  Robert 
at  home,  and  not  a  little  surprised  to  see  how 
slight  an  interest  he  took  in  the  subject  when 
Ruth's  disappearance  was  mentioned.  Rob- 
ert replied  in  detail  to  every  question  put  to 
him  by  Matthew.  Ruth  had  said  nothing 

about  such  a  madcap  scheme,  and  was  very 
213 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

cheerful  nearly  all  the  time.  He  had  gone 
on  the  boat  with  her,  and  saw  that  she  might 
be  fairly  comfortable  if  the  trip  was  short ; 
but  why  had  he  directed  that  they  should 
start  with  that  tide,  instead  of  twelve  hours 
later,  which  would  still  leave  plenty  of  time, 
and  avoid  the  night  on  the  boat  *?  and  did  he 
know  that  William  Blake  had  come  from 
Philadelphia  to  Bordentown  to  be  with  her  *? 
Was  this  not  a  scheme  to  further  Wil- 
liam's wishes  and  compromise  Ruth  ?  Good 
Quaker  methods  of  furthering  a  whim.  And 
Robert  spoke  in  such  a  sneering  tone  that 
Matthew  grew  very  red  in  the  face  and 
twisted  uneasily  in  his  chair.  "  Yes,"  Rob- 
ert said,  in  conclusion,  "  I  left  Ruth  on  the 
boat,  and  soon  after  returned  home.  I  made 
good  my  promise,  but  I  am  sorry  I  did  so. 
Was  it  to  be  done  over  again,  I  would  do 
very  differently,  and  openly  interfere  and 
prevent  her  going;  at  least,  I  would  be 
ftrongly  tempted  to  do  so." 

" 1  am  amazed  to  hear  thee  talk  in  this 
way,  though  I   know  thee   to   be   a   rash, 

worldly  man." 

214 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  Well,  people  do  not  see  the  world  alike, 
and  I  am  very  glad  that  I  have  not  Quaker 
eyes,"  Robert  replied,  without  any  trace  of 
irritation.  "  As  I  look  at  it,  Ruth's  surround- 
ings, except  her  mother's  presence,  have  never 
been  what  they  should.  She  is  much  the 
superior  of  the  flock  of  namby-pamby  women 
that  have  swooped  down  on  the  Crosswicks 
Valley  and  changed  every  laughing  feature 
to  a  sober  one.  I  have  faith  in  Ruth,  an 
abiding,  boundless  faith,  and  have  no  fear 
for  her  future.  She  has  doubtless  not  been 
so  rash  as  now  appears,  and  all  will  be  well. 
Her  mother  should  not  worry.  Would 
Matthew  tell  his  wife  what  her  cousin 
thought^"  And  then  Robert  pulled  vigor- 
ously at  his  pipe,  until  the  tobacco  burned 
again,  and  he  sent  wreaths  of  fragrant  smoke 
to  the  ceiling  and  watched  their  progress, 
quite  oblivious  to  the  fact  that  his  visitor 
was  eying  him  intently. 

"  Underneath  thy  fine  speeches,  Robert," 
Matthew  finally  remarked,  "  I  believe  thee 
is  concealing  something  from  me.  Thee 

could  tell  me  more  if  thee  was  willing,  and 
215 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

it  is  my  right  to  be  informed,  and  thy  duty 
to  tell  me  all  thee  knows." 

"  What !"  exclaimed  Robert,  jumping  from 
his  chair  and  turning  his  back  to  the  fire- 
place. "Tell  all  that  I  could?  Well,  if 
I  did  that,  the  township  would  be  all  upset 
for  the  season.  You  came  here  and  asked 
me  a  long  string  of  questions,  not  wait- 
ing for  answers,  and  I  replied  in  the  same 
order,  as  near  as  I  could  remember.  What 
question  did  you  put  that  I  forgot  to 
reply  to?"  And 'Robert  replaced  his  pipe 
and  sent  more  wreaths  of  smoke  to  the 
ceiling. 

"  Does  thee  know  where  Ruth  is,  and  who 
did  she  go  away  with?  Can  thee  answer 
these,  and  will  thee  ?" 

"I  can,"  replied  Robert;  "but  for  the 
present  I  shall  not." 

"  But  it  is  my  right  to  know,"  exclaimed 
Matthew,  also  rising  from  his  chair.  "  This 
is  a  conspiracy  that  may  bring  thee  great 
trouble  if  thee  is  not  very  careful." 

"  Perhaps  it  is,  Neighbor  Watson ;   you 

say  it  is  your  right  to  know  as  much  as  I  do 
216 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

in  this  matter.  All  I  can  say  is,  proceed  to 
enforce  it." 

"  But  thee  knows  that  it  is  against  our 
principles — "  But  Robert  promptly  checked 
the  speaker  here  and  assured  him  that  he  was 
dealing  with  one  not  a  Quaker,  and  must 
proceed  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  the 
province. 

"  I  did  not  run  away  with  Ruth,  and  so 
there's  an  end  of  that  matter;  but  I  do 
know  who  took  her  from  the  boat  last 
night."  And  Robert  looked  Matthew  very 
squarely  in  the  eyes  as  he  made  the  an- 
nouncement. 

"  And  what  scandal  has  she  brought  upon 
the  household,  the  community,  and  her  poor 
mother !"  remarked  Matthew,  with  an  ill  at- 
tempt to  be  pathetic. 

"  One  word,  Matthew,  on  that  score,  and 
only  one.  Don't  you  prate  about  scandal 
and  couple  it  with  Ruth's  name.  Not  here, 
in  my  house,  or  anywhere  in  my  hearing. 
There'll  be  an  end  to  that  sort  of  tattle  very 
quick  if  the  old  women  get  to  shaking  their 

heads  or  wagging  their  long  tongues.     It  is 
217 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

an  outrage  that  I  will  not  tolerate."  And 
Robert  showed  plainly  how  thoroughly  he 
meant  what  he  had  said. 

"  But  is  it  not  most  unseemly  that  a  young 
woman  should  be  out  in  a  boat,  and  at  night 
and  alone  ?" 

"  What !  That  from  you  !  And  who  put 
her  on  a  boat  to  be  alone,  day  and  night,  for 
perhaps  two  days,  and  with  a  man,  too,  she 
detests*?  The  less  you  say  of  all  this  the 
better,  or  the  tide  will  turn  against  you  and 
swallow  you  up,  as  I  only  wish  it  would. 
What  did  happen  may  have  been  unfortu- 
nate, but  it  was  necessary,  and  now  let  us 
come  back  to  business.  You  have  reckoned 
all  along  without  your  host,  as  you  will  find 
out.  You  said  just  now  Ruth's  fair  name 
might  be  tarnished,  but  there'll  be  no  wash- 
ing the  blot  from  the  name  of  the  step- 
father, if  I  read  aright  the  world's  way  of 
thinking.  Yes,  I  know  where  she  is,  and 
can  prove  the  truth  of  my  assertion.  She  is 
under  this  roof,  safe  and  happy,  and  her  only 
wish  is  that  her  mother  shall  know  this.  I 

did  not  intend  to  tell  you  at  first,  but  I 
218 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

have  changed  my  mind.  Not  that  anything 
you  have  said  has  influenced  me.  Ruth  is 
tired  and  needs  all  the  rest  she  can  get,  so 
you  cannot  see  her.  Wife  is  an  excellent 
nurse,  so  you  need  have  no  care  as  to  her 
welfare."  And,  after  the  delivery  of  this 
long  speech,  Robert  yawned  so  long  and 
audibly  that  Matthew  saw  he  was  anxious 
to  close  the  interview. 

"Thee  seems  to  look  lightly  upon  thy 
part  in  this  affair,  and  I  am  astonished  at  the 
stand  thee  has  taken.  May  I  ask  how  Ruth 
got  here  *?  Thee  said  thee  did  not  assist  her 
to  leave  the  boat." 

"  I  do  not  know  that  I  am  called  upon  to 
go  into  particulars.  When  it  is  necessary  I 
will  do  so." 

"This,  I  suppose,  is  the  world's  way  of 
looking  at  it.  It  may  be  I  cannot  force  thee 
to  speak,  but  I  can  think  of  thee  as  I  choose," 
said  Matthew,  making  a  desperate  effort  to 
look  like  dignity  offended. 

Robert  laughed  at  him.  "Well,  Mat- 
thew, you  can  make  a  pretty  shrewd  guess 

as  to  what  I  think.     It  is  enough  to  know 
219 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

that  Ruth  did  get  here,  limp  as  a  rag  and  all 
hollow-eyed  with  much  crying  and  all  that, 
but  my  wife  got  her  well  composed  in  short 
order,  and  when  you  came  in  she  was  still 
sound  asleep ;  and  this  is  all  that  I  have  to 
tell  you,  except  that  if  you  think  I  am  liable 
before  the  law  for  what  part  I  have  taken  in 
her  rescue,  do  take  up  the  matter  at  once, 
for  as  soon  as  May  comes  in  Ruth  and  John 
Bishop  will  be  married,  if  I  am  not  alto- 
gether mistaken.  Until  then  she  will  make 
her  home  with  me."  And  Robert  put  on  a 
defiant  air  that  puzzled  Matthew,  who  wanted 
to  say  more,  but  must  have  time  to  collect 
his  thoughts. 

At  last  he  found  words  wherewith  to  ex- 
press his  feelings.  "  I  was  not  prepared  when 
I  came  for  such  extraordinary  tidings — " 

"  Which,"  said  Robert,  interrupting  him, 
**  were  not  half  so  extraordinary  as  your  own 
acts,  for  which  there  was  no  apparent  rea- 
son. Isn't  John  Bishop  an  improvement  over 
William  Blake?" 

Matthew  paid  no  attention  to  Robert's 
words,  and  continued,  "  — to  be  thus  boldly 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

told  to  my  face  that  I  cannot  see  or  have 
the  custody  of  my  child." 

"  She  is  not  your  child  !"  exclaimed  Rob- 
ert, angrily,  "  and  she  is  my  cousin,  though  a 
distant  one,  and  until  she  is  safely  married 
she  shall  not  leave  me,  unless  it  be  her  will 
to  do  so ;  and  now  let's  put  an  end  to  this 
palaver.  Go  tell  Cousin  Anne  that  Ruth  is 
safe,  and  if  you've  any  sense  of  decency, 
keep  out  of  sight." 

Robert's  manner  spoke  as  plainly  as  his 
words ;  and  Matthew,  seeing  there  was  nothing 
to  be  gained  by  prolonging  his  stay,  picked 
up  his  ungainly  hat  and  with  a  most  for- 
mal and  scarcely  audible  "  farewell"  left  the 
house. 


221 


Chapter  XIX. 
A  Committee  calls  upon  John  Bishop. 

IN  a  few  days  every  inhabitant  of  Chester- 
field and  Nottingham  had  an  inkling  of  the 
truth,  and  so  were  forced  to  content  them- 
selves with  weaving  theories  and  predicting 
the  outcome  of  the  whole  affair.  Outside 
the  Pearson  household,  with  the  exception  of 
John  Bishop,  no  one  knew  the  whole  truth, 
and  the  inquisitive  public — which  was  all  of 
it — were  more  at  sea  than  ever  as  to  the  in- 
cident on  the  Watson  boat,  when  William 
Blake  appeared  upon  the  scenes.  He  had 
failed  in  all  else,  and  why  not  pose  as  a  hero 
now,  when  nothing  but  Ruth's  flight  was 
talked  of?  He  had,  he  said,  gone  on  board 
the  shallop  but  an  hour  before, — lucky  that 
he  and  John  did  not  meet  in  mid-stream, 
— and  was  called  by  one  of  the  crew,  say- 
ing there  were  drunken  Indians  about.  He 
rushed  to  Ruth's  cabin  to  defend  her,  and  she 

222 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

was  gone  !  Had  she  bribed  these  Indians  to 
carry  her  off?  How  he  linked  her  name 
with  his  in  his  wild  talk !  and,  alas !  how 
eagerly  his  audiences  accepted  all  his  absurd 
suggestions  !  It  is  strange,  but  how  they  had 
been  mistaken  in  William  Blake !  What 
a  fine  fellow  he  was,  truly !  Of  course 
no  one  but  a  fool  would  have  done  as  he 
did ;  but  then,  he  was  a  fool,  and  a  gaping 
crowd  will  follow  one  rather  than  a  phi- 
losopher. 

William  went  to  Watson's,  and  was  re- 
ceived as  a  guest,  notwithstanding  the  protest 
of  Ruth's  mother ;  but  her  husband  insisted 
that  the  man  was  misunderstood,  and  she 
should  not  be  prejudiced  by  the  world's 
people  who  spoke  against  him.  He  had 
property,  was  industrious  and  devoted  to  her 
daughter,  and  only  that  child's  perversity  and 
waywardness  had  thwarted  his  wishes,  for 
William  might  to-day  have  been  successfully 
in  trade  and  Ruth's  accepted  suitor.  Anne 
Watson  shuddered  as  she  heard  these  words ; 
repeating  the  most  distasteful  ones  beneath 

her  breath,  "Ruth's  husband,"  and,  as  she 
223 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

had  long  ago  learned  to  do,  except  on  rare 
occasions,  remained  silent. 

Naturally,  William  Blake  desired  to  be- 
come conspicuous  in  meeting,  and  hoped  to 
be  put  upon  a  committee  to  confer  with  Mat- 
thew Watson  and  then  with  John  Bishop. 
The  matter  of  Ruth's  disappearance  and  sub- 
sequent defiance  of  her  step-father  could  not 
be  overlooked.  Ruth  was  a  birthright  mem- 
ber of  the  society,  and  should  she  not  be 
disowned  ? 

There  were  some  hard-headed,  practical 
men  in  the  Crosswicks  meeting  who  seldom 
spoke,  but  when  they  did  it  was  to  excellent 
purpose.  Caleb  Wheatley  was  one  of  these. 
"  Had  they  sought,"  he  asked,  "  Ruth's  rea- 
son for  her  rash  act  ?  It  was  to  be  as  care- 
fully weighed  as  the  statements  of  Matthew 
Watson." 

How  Matthew  stared  and  frowned  when 
he  heard  this ! 

"  Was  John  Bishop  a  party  to  the  affair  ? 
Probably  ;  but  had  they  his  admission  to  that 
effect,  or  discovered  any  proof  of  his  com- 
plicity ?  Might  they  not  be  groping  in  the 
224 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

dark,  and  their  efforts  be  as  vain  as  beating 
the  air  ?  The  meeting  appeared  to  be  of  one 
mind,  but  might  not  a  whole  meeting  be  in 
error  ?" 

Caleb's  warnings  fell  upon  deaf  ears.  The 
meeting  as  such  was  incapable  of  going 
astray,  and  they  went  on  with  committee 
appointments  and  committee  instruction  as 
if  they  were  attending  wholly  to  their  own 
business,  which  they  were  not.  Robert 
Pearson  was  not  within  their  jurisdiction  and 
John  Bishop  was.  He  must  be  called  upon 
to  explain,  and  it  was  a  foregone  conclu- 
sion only  that  would  be  acceptable  that  did 
not  conflict  with  what  Matthew  Watson  had 
said. 

Robert  Pearson,  who  mysteriously  kept 
posted  upon  every  movement  "  of  the 
enemy,"  as  he  called  them,  and  yet  was 
always  deep  in  the  background,  knew  of  the 
time  of  the  committee  conferring  with  Mat- 
thew, and  pretty  shrewdly  guessed  at  the 
result.  It  was  in  effect  that  Matthew  was  a 
long-suffering  saint  and  John  Bishop  a  miser- 
able sinner.  All  was  so  clear  to  them  now 
15  225 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

that  their  call  upon  John  partook  of  a  char- 
acter quite  foreign  to  their  instructions.  They 
had  no  questions  to  ask,  but  assertions  to 
make,  based  upon  the  assumption  of  Mat- 
thew's veracity.  They  must  proceed  with- 
out delay  to  call  John  to  account,  and 
demand  his  explanation  for  so  flagrant  a 
breach  of  all  proprieties  in  a  Christian  assem- 
bly and  placing  the  meeting  in  an  unfavor- 
able light  before  the  whole  world.  Their 
zeal  as  inquisitors  was  growing  rapidly 
warmer,  when  Robert  Pearson,  looking  out 
of  the  shop  door,  exclaimed,  "  His  Majesty's 
ghost,  John,  here  come  three  owls  on  horse- 
back !" 

"Not  all  on  one  horse,  I  hope,"  replied 
John,  coming  to  the  door. 

Sure  enough,  there,  coming  up  the  road, 
were  the  three  Friends,  their  horses  walking 
with  weary  steps,  and  the  riders,  as  Robert  sug- 
gested, looking  "  solemn,  solemner,  solemn- 
est."  "  I'll  go  out  the  back  way  when  they 
get  near  the  front,  and  after  a  bit  drop  in,  by 
accident-like."  And  Robert,  with  a  broad 

grin,  disappeared. 

226 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

John  met  the  Friends  with  a  pleasant 
smile  as  they  dismounted,  and,  regretting 
that  he  had  not  more  comfortable  seats  to 
offer,  arranged  them  as  best  he  could  on  a 
bench,  a  box,  and  a  pile  of  boards,  and 
"  the  three  owls"  looked  overburdened  with 
wisdom. 

"  We  have  been  with  Friend  Watson," 
commenced  the  spokesman,  "  this  morning, 
and  now  are  pained  to  say  we  have  an  un- 
pleasant duty  to  perform." 

"  Yes  *?"  remarked  John,  trying  to  look 
very  serious  and  concerned ;  but  the  merry 
light  that  was  ever  in  his  eyes  could  not  be 
dimmed  even  by  so  solemn  an  announce- 
ment, and  the  Friends  stared  at  him  as  if 
they  were  ill  at  ease,  and  doubtless  did  wish 
themselves  at  home. 

"  Friend  Watson,"  the  spokesman  con- 
tinued, "  has  informed  us  that  it  was  thee 
that  took  Ruth  Davenport  from  the  boat, 
forcibly  removing  her,  and  at  an  unseemly 
time  of  the  night — " 

"  Hush !"  rang  through  the  shop,  as  if 

the  old  oak  had  been  struck  by  lightning 
227 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

and  its  fire  yet  played  about  John's  eyes. 
Then  and  there  the  discussion  of  that  aspect 
of  the  affair  ceased.  "  And,"  remarked 
John,  with  anger  still  in  his  heart,  "that 
she  left  the  boat  against  her  wishes  is  false, 
utterly  false." 

"  But  William  Blake  informed  us — " 

"Then  William  Blake  spoke  an  untruth 
knowingly,"  replied  John ;  "  now  continue 
if  thee  pleases." 

"  Thy  vehemence  does  not  speak  well  for 
thy  entire  innocence,"  slowly  drawled  one 
of  the  committee,  who  had  until  then  been 
silent. 

"  Perhaps  sufficient  indignation  might 
rouse  thee  to  vehemence,  or  has  thee  no 
pride  in  thy  good  name  *?"  asked  John, 
with  almost  a  sneer  in  his  tone,  and  that 
committee-man  lapsed  into  silence,  with 
his  fingers  interlocked  and  thumbs  twirling 
rapidly. 

Then  followed  a  short  silence  on  the  part 
of  all,  and,  having  gathered  his  scattered 
thoughts,  the  spokesman  began  again  some 

glittering  generality,  but  John's  patience  was 
228 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

exhausted.  As  he  had  already  so  frequently 
done,  he  interrupted  him  in  a  firm  way  that 
admitted  of  no  protest  being  entered,  and 
remarked,  calmly,  slowly,  and  with  such 
definiteness  of  expression  that  there  would 
be  no  excuse  if  the  committee  wrongly  re- 
ported him  to  the  meeting. 

"  My  Friends,"  John  said,  "  I  have  been 
led,  as  you  may  know,  to  look  with  a  more 
than  merely  friendly  interest  upon  Ruth. 
Being  myself  free  of  all  others,  and  be- 
lieving her  to  be,  I  offered  her  my  hand  and 
she  accepted  it.  Upon  what  ground  her 
step-father  disapproved  I  have  never  learned, 
but,  what  is  of  greater  moment,  her  mother 
has  not  spoken  against  it.  Ruth  was  op- 
posed to  returning  to  England,  I  equally 
so  to  have  her  go,  but  took  no  step  to  pre- 
vent it.  Neighbor  Watson  withheld  the 
whole  truth,  which  made  us  suspicious,  and 
that  we  were  correct  in  our  forebodings 
Robert  Pearson  fortunately  and  most  unex- 
pectedly discovered  ;  but  acting  as  he  thought 
best,  in  his  judgment  and  with  Ruth's  ap- 
proval, he  allowed  Neighbor  Watson's  plans 
229 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

to  be  carried  out  so  far  as  Ruth's  real  welfare 
would  permit.  Then  we  jointly  interfered, 
with  the  result  you  already  know  of."  And 
then,  taking  a  sheet  of  paper  from  his  pocket, 
said,  "  Here  is  a  letter  from  Revell  Stacy,  of 
Scarboro,  England.  It  is  addressed  to  Robert 
Pearson,  and  was  received  after  Ruth's  prep- 
arations to  leave  home  were  completed.  It 
says,  in  part, '  This  will  was  made  seven 
years  ago,  and  I  suppose  Ruth  must  be  now 
quite  of  age,  and  so,  if  she  desires,  need  not 
spend  the  closing -years  of  her  minority  with 
her  English  kinsfolk.'  In  other  words,  her 
step-father  was  so  anxious  to  be  rid  of  her 
he  withheld  this  part  of  his  letter,  and  trusted 
that  once  away  she  would  never  return.  I 
hold  myself  a  Friend,  and  have  never  known 
Ruth  to  be  other  than  soberly  and  discreetly 
mannered ;  and  if  the  innocent  mischief  of 
childhood  is  to  be  treasured  against  us,  who 
shall  escape  ?  Ruth  is  eighteen  years  of  age 
in  the  coming  month,  and  on  her  birthday 
I  trust  we  shall  be  married." 

The  three  sets  of  thumbs  ceased  twirling, 

the  fingers  unlocked,  and  "  the  owls"  moved 
230 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

uneasily.  One  of  them  pushed  a  leaning 
board  so  that  it  fell ;  another  tried  to  clear 
his  throat,  in  which  was  no  obstruction. 
John  waited  for  a  reply,  and,  after  unneces- 
sary delay,  the  spokesman  remarked,  "  We 
must  report  to  the  meeting  thy  words  for 
their  action ;  and  thee  has  not  yet  passed 
meeting,  John."  The  other  Friends  bobbed 
their  huge  hat-brims  to  signify  their  accord- 
ance with  the  spokesman's  remarks.  Then 
the  three  men  arose  as  if  to  go. 

But  if  they  were  done  with  John,  he  was 
not  with  them.  "  Am  I  to  have  no  expres- 
sion of  your  opinion  before  you  go  ?  Must 
you  reserve  this  for  the  meeting  *?  If  so,"  con- 
tinued John,  "  let  me  say  that  if  your  fears 
of  the  man  overlook  the  wrong-doing  of 
Neighbor  Watson,  I  shall  report  the  matter 
to  another  body.  You  come  here  as  a  com- 
mittee, with  hearts  full  of  condemnation 
instead  of  overflowing  with  Christian  charity, 
and  now,  knowing  the  whole  truth,  will  not 
assure  me  that  the  scales  have  dropped  from 
your  eyes.  I  have  seen  Ruth,  and  we  shall 
marry  out  of  meeting  if  there  is  any  attempt 
231 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

to  frustrate  our  plans,  and  so  be  among  you, 
but  no  longer  belonging  to  the  meeting.  If 
I  have  been  led  astray  as  to  my  views  of 
duty,  I  pray  to  be  led  back  to  the  right 
path." 

"  Thy  words  suggest  a  firmer  determination 
to  marry  Ruth  than  to  remain  a  Friend," 
finally  remarked  the  spokesman. 

At  this  juncture  Robert  Pearson  came 
strolling  in,  and,  shaking  hands  with  the 
committee,  hoped  they  were  well,  passed 
upon  the  prospect  of  a  favorable  season,  and 
then,  looking  up,  said,  "  But  you  all  look  so 
very  sober ;  I  hope  you  have  not  been  here 
to  get  measured  for  your  coffins."  And  the 
committee  almost  smiled  as  they  mechani- 
cally said,  "  Oh,  no  !" 

John  laughed,  however,  for  he  thought 
their  plans  had  been  coffined  if  they  had 
not. 

"  Three  owls  on  horseback,"  again  re- 
marked Robert,  as  they  rode  away. 

"  Their  intentions  were  correct,  perhaps ; 
so  let  us  be  charitable." 

"  Charitable  !"  said  Robert,  with  surprise. 
232 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

"  I  believe  you  would  find  an  excuse  for 
the  Old  Boy  if  he  grabbed  you  by  the 
throat.  Come,  John,  one  may  be  too  chari- 
table." 

"Not  in  this  world;  though  it  is  the 
heaviest  task  that  we  are  called  upon  to 
perform." 


233 


Chapter  XX. 
All's  Well  that  ends  Well. 

"  ARE  they  going  to  allow  you  any  spe- 
cial privileges,  John,"  asked  Robert  Pearson, 
"  about  this  passing  meeting  ?  You  can  do 
so,  next  Thursday,  if  you  choose,  but  what 
about  Ruth*?  she  will  not  leave  the  house, 
she  says,  until  she  is  married ;  so  there's  a  nice 
kettle  of  fish  for  you.  It's  a  blessed  good 
thing  I  didn't  have  any  of  this  bother  in  my 
day,  or  perhaps  I'd  been  a  bachelor  still." 

"  There  is  want  of  unity  in  the  meeting, 
and  I  am  sorry  to  be  the  cause  of  it.  Ruth 
has  chosen  her  birthday,  and  I  think  she 
has  suffered  enough,  and  I  am  not  willing  to 
disappoint  her.  Surely  she  has  been  sorely 
tried  of  late — " 

"  And,  John,  my  man,"  remarked  Robert, 
interrupting  his  friend,  "  she'll  never  drop  in 
meekness  sufficient  to  give  in,  or  I'm  wrong. 
If  they  want  to  keep  her  in  meeting,  they'll 
have  to  knuckle  down  just  a  little  to  her,  for 
234 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

this  once,  anyhow.  There  isn't  another  like 
her  in  the  whole  province." 

"  Yes,  Robert ;  her  mother." 

"  Cousin  Anne  ;  well,  I  don't  know.  She's 
a  noble  woman  to  go  through  with  what  she 
has  had  to  and  yet  show  up  with  a  smiling 
face  at  times.  I  don't  know  how  it  is  with 
you  Quakers,  some  are  so  good  and  nice  and 
some  not  so  taking,"  replied  Robert,  in  a 
way  that  showed  he  was  talking  as  much  to 
himself  as  to  John  Bishop. 

"  Is  it  not  so  with  other  people  than  the 
Friends'?  Where  can  you  go  and  not  find 
both  saints  and  sinners'?"  asked  John. 

"  It  is  easier  to  find  the  sinners,  John,  all 
times  and  everywhere.  I  never  saw  a  saint, 
a  real  saint,  but  Ruth  and  her  mother  come  as 
near  to  it  as  any  this  province  is  blessed  with." 

John  smiled  at  Robert's  enthusiasm,  and 
remarked,  "  Although  alike,  yet  they  are  very 
different." 

"  On  the  surface,  yes,  but  they're  of  the 

same  sort  here."    And  Robert  placed  his  hand 

over  his  heart.     "  But  this  is  not  time  for  one 

of  Matthew  Watson's  idle  gatherings,"  con- 

235 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

tinued  Robert ;  "  you'll  be  married  at  my 
house,  of  course,  since  her  loving  step-father 
won't  let  her  go  home." 

"  That  is  Ruth's  wish  ;  but  there  are  Friends 
who  object  and  say  it  will  promote  discord. 
I  am  sorely  puzzled." 

"  Well,  John,  I  wish  I  was  the  king  for  half 
a  day.  I'd  settle  the  matter  and  shut  up  mouths 
at  the  same  time,"  said  Robert,  impatiently. 

"  Thee  would  not  make  it  a  case  of  hasty 
marriage  and  leisurely  repentance,  I  hope." 

"You're  not  to  be  argued  with  to-day, 
that's  certain.  I'll  consult  with  Ruth,  and 
you  can  do  as  we  decide  or  not ;  but  there's 
no  danger  as  to  what  your  decision  will  be. 
If  you  don't  mind  your  words,  John,  pretty 
closely,  the  neighbors  will  say,  *  John's  wife 
is  more  clever  than  her  husband.' " 

John  laughed  at  this  and  said,  "  Why,  I 
have  always  said  Ruth  was  more  clever  than 
any  one  I  knew." 

"  Yes,  but  that  is  excepting  yourself,  and 
that  won't  do.  Anyhow,  I  see  I'm  not 
through  with  this  business  yet.  I'll  see  Ruth 

and  arrange  particulars." 
236 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

As  John  Bishop  had  said,  the  proposed 
wedding  had  caused  a  dissension,  and  several 
members  of  the  meeting  expressed  them- 
selves so  freely  that  serious  trouble  was 
feared.  John  did  not  attend,  even  on  First 
day,  but  calmly  awaited  the  decision  of  a 
new  committee  to  whom  the  whole  matter 
was  referred.  What  he  feared  would  be  the 
case  resulted.  There  was  a  division  ;  and  if 
he  and  Ruth  were  married  on  the  chosen 
date  and  at  Pearson's  they  would  be  subject 
to  discipline,  and  then  the  question  of  legality 
might  arise  :  was  the  wedding  in  accordance 
with  the  customs  of  the  Friends'?  And  if 
not,  and  no  magistrate  was  present,  or  hire- 
ling priest  performed  the  ceremony,  might  not 
trouble  be  the  outcome,  and  their  opponents 
triumph  in  a  manner  to  blight  their  whole 
lives'?  John  could  stand  anything  for  her 
sake,  but  was  powerless  to  alter  the  decision 
of  constituted  authorities.  No  wonder  he 
was  sorely  troubled. 

"  Please  don't  set  me  wild  by  all  this  law 
and  custom  and  so  on,"  said  Ruth,  when 
Robert  placed  the  matter  before  her.  "  What 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

does  John  say  *?  How  should  I  know  ?  But 
oh,  dear,  I  did  want  it  to  be  on  my  birthday, 
as  John  and  I  planned.  And  if  it's  wrong  one 
day,  why  not  another1?"  And  Ruth  threat- 
ened to  treat  the  Pearsons  to  an  hysterical 
scene,  which  her  cousin  Robert  neatly  avoided 
by  saying,— 

"  There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  in  the 
matter." 

"Is  there?  Do  some  think  it  would  be 
right1?  Then  tell  John  I  side  with  them, 
and  let  the  matter  ,4  go  to  court,'  do  you  call 
it*?  afterwards,"  exclaimed  Ruth,  with  more 
enthusiasm  than  calm  judgment ;  and  added, 
"But  what  do  you  think,  Cousin  Robert? 
tell  me  that." 

"  That  it  will  come  out  all  right,  Fairie ; 
but  I'm  not  a  judge  or  man  of  the  law." 

"  You're  enough  of  a  one  for  me,  if  John's 
willing."  And  with  this  decision,  prepara- 
tions for  the  wedding  rapidly  proceeded. 

******* 

The  day  was  perfect ;  such  a  one  as,  in 
this  region,  can  only  come  in  the  month  of 
May.  Pearson's  orchard  and  the  apple-trees 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

that  lined  his  lane  were  in  full  bloom,  and 
the  huge  wild  crab-tree,  with  its  wealth  of 
roseate  blossoms,  perfumed  the  air  for  a  long 
distance.  Millions  of  busy  bees  were  hum- 
ming among  the  flowers,  and  the  birds  that 
through  the  winter  had  been  far  away  were 
now  again  in  their  summer  homes  and  re- 
joicing as  these  returned  wanderers  always 
do.  The  best  features  of  the  year  were 
spread  in  profusion,  and  with  the  clear  blue 
sky,  with  peaceful  clouds  floating  leisurely 
across  it,  combined  to  make  a  most  fitting 
background  for  the  ending  of  long  weeks  of 
anxiety  and  pain  and  the  beginning  of  a  life- 
time, let  us  hope,  of  unalloyed  pleasure. 

By  noon  the  neighbors  generally  had  con- 
gregated about  the  Pearson  mansion,  and 
after  the  usual  greetings  and  comments  they 
gathered  in  the  spacious  parlor,  that  needed 
to-day  no  interior  decoration,  though  this 
was  not  lacking,  as  every  window  was  open 
and  the  flowers  were  peeping  in,  and  the 
merriest  birds  posted  themselves  on  the 
nearest  bushes.  When  the  guests  were 
seated,  a  short  silence  ensued,  and  then  was 
239 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

heard  footsteps  and  the  rustling  of  silk  and 
satin.  John  Bishop  and  Ruth  entered  the 
room,  and,  occupying  the  chairs  reserved  for 
them,  sat  facing  the  company.  Then  silence 
again,  only  broken  at  last  by  John  rising 
and  holding  out  his  hand  to  Ruth,  who  also 
rose  and  said  those  words  of  mighty  import 
that  forever  bound  him  to  her.  She  made 
like  promises  to  him,  and  they  were  married. 
******* 

The  marriage  certificate,  brought  under 
protest  and  not  likely  to  be  accepted,  was 
signed  by  those  present,  but  lacked  the  one 
signature  Ruth  most  highly  prized, — her 
mother's.  Then  the  restraint  of  formality 
and  of  solemnity  fell  away,  and  the  buzz 
and  hum  of  many  voices  filled  the  room. 
There  was  now  an  end  to  the  mystery,  and 
the  good  people  of  the  valley  must  find  some 
other  subject  for  discussion  and  wondering. 
While  the  excitement  was  at  its  height  and 
every  one  talking  at  if  not  to  his  fellow,  a 
little  incident  caused  a  momentary  pause. 
For  reasons  she  alone  could  explain,  but 

many  correctly  surmised,  the  Watsons  had 
240 


A  COLONIAL  WOOING 

not  been  present.  Now,  her  daughter  mar- 
ried, she  was  free  to  come  to  her  cousin's 
house,  and  as  she  entered  the  room,  Ruth 
saw  her  mother  for  the  first  time  since  the 
day  of  her  departure  for  England. 

There  was  a  quick  exclamation  of  joy, 
and  in  another  moment,  the  words  "  Mother," 
"  Ruth,"  heard  only  by  those  nearest,  they 
were  in  each  other's  arms.  John  Bishop 
stood  by  with  arms  folded  and  a  look  of 
triumph  lighting  his  handsome  face,  the 
proudest  and  happiest  man  in  the  province. 

Soon  the  guests  began  to  disperse,  but 
there  was  a  rumor  current  among  all  the 
little  gatherings  of  two  or  three  in  the  Pearson 
yard  to  the  effect  that  Thomas  Gardiner  had 
spent  the  morning  at  the  Watson  house,  and 
had  declared  as  his  conviction  that  Matthew's 
mind  was  unbalanced. 


THE    END. 


16  241 


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